ENERGY BOOST

Upgrades to Energy-Efficient Technology for a Cleaner, Healthier Environment

GOING ELECTRIC — An electric vehicle charging station is located near the Regional Network Enterprise Center on Fort Carson, Colorado. As part of its plan to field an all-electric fleet of non-tactical vehicles by 2035, the Army is installing electric vehicle charging stations.
(Photo Credit: Photo by Anissa Connell, Fort Carson Public Affairs Office)

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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 13: Climate Action

Almost every American household recognizes the ENERGY STAR label. It is featured prominently on the majority of new electronic items sold today, from lightbulbs to major appliances. ENERGY STAR has grown to become the national standard for energy efficiency and, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one of the most successful voluntary U.S. government programs in history, with a 90% recognition rate among American families. The EPA launched the ENERGY STAR program in 1992, creating a market for energy efficient products, homes and buildings. The program has led to an increase in the production and adoption of energy-efficient technologies and practices by American consumers and businesses, giving them options that use less energy to get the same job done.

LOOK FOR THE STAR — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expanded the program launching the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade in 2022 to connect American households at all income levels with resources to plan for a clean energy future through a series of high-impact, efficient electric improvements that can save the average family about $500 per year on utility bills.
(Photo Credit: Image courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency)

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STAR STANDARDS

Both the Department of Energy (DOE) and the EPA promote energy efficiency, and they work together to avoid redundancies and prevent any extra burden for the manufacturers of energy-efficient products. The DOE establishes minimum energy-efficiency standards for products, which are taken into consideration when developing the robust specifications for ENERGY STAR product certification.

Before associating the label with any product model, manufacturers must submit performance data from an EPA-recognized laboratory to an independent certification body for review, to ensure the product meets ENERGY STAR standards tailored for the category it’s in.

Product performance specifications are regularly updated, which any new ENERGY STAR product is expected to meet before earning certification. Across more than 75 different categories, products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict EPA standards for energy efficiency with consideration to technology improvements, market trends and input from manufacturers and a range of stakeholders.

“Our program relies on comprehensive data reporting on product performance, market trends and stakeholder feedback to develop and revise standards for energy efficiency,” said Leslie Jones, media and public affairs specialist for the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program. “Choosing products that have earned the ENERGY STAR certification is an easy way for consumers to reduce their energy consumption without having to make a daily conscious effort to adopt different habits.”

Performance levels for products that earn the ENERGY STAR label are established by the EPA after reviewing efficiency performance across the range of models in a product category. Label recognition saves consumers the effort of having to look at individual efficiency ratings. By purchasing products with the little blue label (denoting top performers), customers can feel good about saving energy and money while protecting the environment. The program maintains an online search tool, ENERGY STAR Product Finder, to identify products that have been certified.