Energy Star

When shopping for a new appliance you need to consider many factors: brand, price, warranty and so on. Retro red enamel or sleek stainless steel? But don't forget one feature that really matters: Is it Energy Star rated?

The blue-and-white label instantly conveys that the appliance is 10-50% more efficient than standard models, which will lead to lower energy bills and less pollution. More than 40,000 products in 60 different categories, from dehumidifiers to DVD players, now qualify for the Energy Star program. To do so, they must meet strict efficiency guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE)-while delivering the performance that consumers want at a reasonable price. Starting in 2011, the Energy Star program began labeling the most efficient products that receive the Energy Star label.

A home fully equipped with Energy Star products will operate on about 30% less energy than a house equipped with standard products, saving $600 a year. But you don't have to replace every appliance at once to see the environmental benefit. If half of all U.S. households replaced a standard TV with an Energy Star model, the emissions prevented would be equal to shutting down a power plant. (In 2010, 200 million Americans purchased Energy Star products.)

Entire homes, not just their contents, can also qualify for the Energy Star. By incorporating technologies such as high-performance windows and heating systems, these homes are at least 15 percent more efficient than houses built to the 2004 International Residential Code. In some new developments, such as Stapleton, Colorado, every residence is an Energy Star.

COMMENTS ()