ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The ENERGY STAR label helps businesses and consumers easily identify highly efficient products, homes, and buildings that save energy and money, while protecting the environment.
In addition to lowering energy bills and reducing the pollution from power generation, ENERGY STAR helps meet America's energy needs and strengthen the U.S. economy.
ENERGY STAR works with manufacturers, national and regional retailers, state and local governments, and more than 100 utilities that serve about half of U.S. households. These partners help the government establish energy efficiency criteria, label products, and promote the manufacture and use of ENERGY STAR products.
DOE works with manufacturers and standards organizations to develop technical requirements and qualifications defining ENERGY STAR status. Manufacturers can expand their bottom line by producing products that qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. A number of manufacturers have redesigned their products to achieve maximum energy and even water savings. ENERGY STAR-labeled clothes washers, for example, use 35% to 50% less water and 50% less energy per load than conventional washers.
More than 100 lighting manufacturers produce ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). With advanced technology, CFLs use 75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Likewise, over 350 manufacturers produce ENERGY STAR-qualified windows and window components. ENERGY STAR-qualified windows can save 15% on a household's total energy bill. All together, the ENERGY STAR label appears on over 30 categories of products.
ENERGY STAR retail partners promote recognition and purchase of ENERGY STAR-labeled products. In 2001, they sold more than 1.7 million ENERGY STAR-labeled appliances. Many retail partners also support a wide range of ENERGY STAR promotional activities—such as radio ads, in-store displays, and appliance rebates—to educate consumers about the benefits of ENERGY STAR.
The typical U.S. household spends about $1,300 on home energy bills. Choosing ENERGY STAR products can save consumers up to 30 percent on those energy bills, without sacrificing features, style, or comfort.
The ENERGY STAR Web site provides a complete listing of ENERGY STAR products as well as tools and guidelines to help homeowners and businesses save energy and money. For more information on ENERGY STAR partnerships, contact Richard Karney.