What Is the Meaning of Energy Star Ratings?
A rating that can be affixed to consumer products, commercial-grade materials and even new or remodeled homes, the Energy Star label is becoming more and more relevant as consumers and companies value energy efficiency and long-term savings. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, the Energy Star label is given only to products that are deemed the best energy savers on the market. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Star Power
-
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.
Stars and Standards
-
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.
-
Stars and Revisions
-
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.
The Star Products
-
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.
Star Homes
-
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.
-
References
- Photo Credit light bulb 1 image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
