What Is the Meaning of Energy Star Ratings?
- According to the website EnergyStar.gov, an Energy Star label is added to a product if it meets certain government-approved standards for low and efficient energy use. The government-sponsored program was created to combat global greenhouse-gas pollutants, which are reduced by the use of energy-efficient products. Products such as energy-efficient light bulbs and lower-energy home appliances are assigned the Energy Star label by the EPA.
- When selecting which product or brand will be given the Energy Star label, the EPA uses six guidelines to determine eligibility. First, the product must provide savings on a nationwide level; second, the product must provide consumer-demanded features while providing energy-efficient output; third, if the product costs more than competing products, the energy savings must make up for the difference in cost; fourth, the product must not be patented by one company but be available for production by multiple technologies and manufacturers; fifth, the product's energy-efficiency must be able to be tested; and sixth, the product, if chosen, must be labeled in a way that consumers can identify.
- An Energy Star label can be removed or re-evaluated under six specific circumstances, which are all monitored by the EPA. These special circumstances are: the availability of the product changing; testing issues with the product; performance problems with the product; consumer expectation of the energy savings differing from the product's output; changes occurring in the federally appointed standards; or changes occurring in the technology that will allow for increased consumer savings.
- According to the website EnergyStar.gov, Energy Star labels can be found on home appliances such as clothes washers and refrigerators; building products such as windows and doors; electronic or computer products such as cable boxes, televisions and analog converters; heating and cooling systems such as air conditioners, air purifiers and dehumidifiers; lighting and fan products such as ceiling fans and light bulbs; and plumbing products such as water and solar heaters.
- Like consumer and commercial products, new homes are also eligible for the Energy Star label if they follow certain EPA standards. Twenty to 30 percent more energy-efficient than an average household, Energy Star-labeled homes have specialized insulation, windows, duct construction, heating and cooling measures, and, of course, Energy-Star labeled products, such as light bulbs and appliances, in the home.
