Web Hosting Companies Have Gone Green

[bluemouse2]

Everywhere you check they all have gone green

Now hosting companies are using solar and wind power to power up their servers.

Is it a marketing strategy or they really care about the environment?

Please share your views.

PS: what is funny is that every large hosting company is following the trend - I guess they cannot afford losing customers so better lineup

 

[ldcdc]

Now hosting companies are using solar and wind power to power up their servers.

Actually, most just pay for energy from such sources to be put back into the grid, covering their own usage. CO2 is still being pumped into the air for their servers to run.

 

[CrazyTech]

Purely a marketing strategy.

Let's face it, most of these companies claim the use of solar polar/wind power here or there, but as ldcdc said, they mostly buy energy credits. It seems to me these carbon offset credits are quite popular because you just buy them and don't actually have to change anything up. A lot of companies purchase these for an unspecified amount and then love to share that they are "carbon neutral." A few others like to plant a couple trees.

It makes sense to cut costs and reduce stress on the environment, but in 95% of the cases of "green hosting," it's all a ruse.

 

[tristanperry]

It's a marketing strategy.

There are one or two truly green hosting initiatives out there, but the majority of "green" hosts are simply exactly the same as every other host out there, but they buy an unspecified amount of "carbon offset" credits - as mentioned above.

I even once heard a host claim "Now with green domain names!". I mean, seriously? Does anyone actually buy that?

 

[iHubNet-Matt]

There are a number of threads in various forums regarding the green hosting. It is a great thing to be like that, but seems these are not purely a green host rather than using it as a marketing strategy.

 

[cx2000]

What will be interesting to see is what these companies will do when some of the developing countries that have a "surplus" decide to use their offsets for themselves.

Or when China decides to go on shopping spree for the offsets.

 

[vivithemage]

Energy efficiency in data centers is a good thing for everyone. You save a lot of money, and it's something you can actually market. It could make perspective clients think that you are on the ball with new technology.

i ahve read reports of companies saving thousands/millions with power saving servers.

 

[~ServerPoint~]

Energy efficiency in data centers is a good thing for everyone. You save a lot of money, and it's something you can actually market. It could make perspective clients think that you are on the ball with new technology.

i ahve read reports of companies saving thousands/millions with power saving servers.

If they are able to save why they have so non competative prices for the same kind of the services? If thay have cheaper prices and they are good they will never have this green host tag

 

[vivithemage]

I wouldn't say that ServerPoint...there are hosts that are specifically 'green' hosting, on green servers.

It's really just another way to market the same services, they just want you to know they are environmentally friendly, maybe it will persuad the crowd that is really into the green trend right now.

It's just like when you buy a car...you ask how fast is it, what kind of color, and what kind of MPG does it get. Kind of the same with web hosting now. How much space can I get, how much bandwidth, do you guys use green servers?

It doesn't directly reflect the customer, they just like to feel like they are making a difference by choosing a green host over a not green host.

That's my assumption on the matter :p.

 

[~ServerPoint~]

I wouldn't say that ServerPoint...there are hosts that are specifically 'green' hosting, on green servers.

It's really just another way to market the same services, they just want you to know they are environmentally friendly, maybe it will persuad the crowd that is really into the green trend right now.

It's just like when you buy a car...you ask how fast is it, what kind of color, and what kind of MPG does it get. Kind of the same with web hosting now. How much space can I get, how much bandwidth, do you guys use green servers?

It doesn't directly reflect the customer, they just like to feel like they are making a difference by choosing a green host over a not green host.

That's my assumption on the matter :p.

Absolutely. If everything is good and they do not have any peroblem and green power helps them to be cheaper they will never use that as the motto

 

[vivithemage]

Some companies find it a worthwhile marketing strategy, which is why they advertise it.

 

[~ServerPoint~]

I agree with you. But that is only marketing tag....

 

[vivithemage]

Yes it is, and a decent amount of hosts find it worthwhile to market, so it must be working for them!

 

[~ServerPoint~]

Yes it is, and a decent amount of hosts find it worthwhile to market, so it must be working for them!

Not sure if that is working or not. But they keep doing that. So I believe they know they know their target audience and they are working with it

 

[vivithemage]

Exactly

 

[ldcdc]

Energy efficiency in data centers is a good thing for everyone.

Indeed, it would be a good thing, but I don't see the hosts focusing or even marketing that. All attention is given to carbon offsetting and "green" energy sources.

there are hosts that are specifically 'green' hosting, on green servers.

Green servers? No such thing, unless we're talking about the paint job. :D

 

[SiberForum]

I suppose they are called green servers because of their power supply, not because of the servers

 

[rumsfo]

That is the kind of power supply. I assume that cannot be considered as stable and realible one so I wonder why people consider that as good?