Energy Star
9.6.22
Founded on March 15th, 1992, Energy Star is an organization run by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since its inception, Energy Star has helped America save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, over $500 billion in energy costs and helped Americans achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 4 billion metric tons.
Additionally, more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies have partnered with the EPA to deliver more sustainable and energy efficient products to consumers.
Appliances
When on the hunt for Energy Star rated appliances, the notices above are what you will want to look for. The blue seal approval or the yellow Energy Guide will help guide you on your journey. The Energy Guide is a great way to see how the product measures up and what the potential savings can be.
Please note that the Energy Guide does give some parameters, depending on the product, for optimal usage. As just one example, a dishwasher might only achieve its maximum saving potential when used with an electric water heater.
In addition to standard household appliances, televisions, windows, light bulbs, computers, and tables are just a few of the products that can be certified. For a complete list of products, please check out the energy star website.
Benefits
Clothes washers – on average, an American family will do about 300 loads of laundry every single year. With a Energy Star rated washing machine (front or top-loading) you can your water costs roughly in half and spend about a third as much on energy consumption for that unit.
Refrigerators – Energy Star rated fridges used improved insulation to help improve their efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Fridges that meet the minimum federal standards as an Energy Star appliance cost around $50 a year to run and use less energy than a 60-watt light bulb.
Dishwashers – An Energy Star rated dishwasher will cost you about $35 a year to run and can save around 1,900 gallons of water per annum. Additionally, thanks to advanced technology like soil detecting sensors, dishwashers can run more effective cycles while using less water and energy.
New Construction and Remodeling
The EPA has partnered with home builders in the U.S. who promote and uphold Energy Star ratings in their projects. According to their studies, homes built to the Energy Star certification are at least 10% more energy efficient than those built to code and see an average improvement of 20%. Homeowners report that homes of this quality provide more comfort and quality.
If you are remodeling an existing home, it’s not too late. Energy Star offers a selection of free resources (linked below) that can help you get on track and make your home more efficient, save you money, and reduce environmental impact.
Home Advisor: https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/assessYourHome
Home Energy Yardstick: https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/home-energy-yardstick
Conclusion
Whether you are already on track with Energy Star or just starting out, it’s never too late. Thanks to the EPA and the Energy Star certification, more and more companies are coming out with appliances that meet their high standards of efficiency. Next time you are shopping for a major home appliance or fixture, ask about Energy Star.
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