Homeowner’s Guide to Energy Star

When it comes to people preparing to buy a new home, doing remodeling or just replacing old products like air conditioners or windows, many are concerned about energy savings but don’t know how to improve them. Luckily there is a label called Energy Star, which has been made for the express purpose of helping consumers and businesses find energy-efficient appliances and practices. Knowing about Energy Star, and learning how to use it, can lead to increased savings on energy costs when the right products are purchased. Learn more about the Energy Star label below.

What is Energy Star?

Energy Star is a United States government-backed program that identifies energy efficient products and practices via an identifiable logo. It is an effort to help consumers and businesses make decisions that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants, while also producing savings on energy bills. Major manufacturers and realtors have signed on with Energy Star to produce products and educate consumers on energy-saving appliances.

• How Energy Star Works: This is a comprehensive guide to Energy Star, including history and other information.
• How Homes Qualify for Energy Star: Duke Energy features the Energy Star label and discusses how homes qualify for the rating.
• Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) and Energy Star: This link contains a guide not only to Energy Star but also to the HERS system.

History of Energy Star

The voluntary labeling program was introduced by the inventor of the Green Programs the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When it was originally implemented it targeted office and computer equipment, and since it has expanded to home needs as well, with more than 40,000 products being offered that contain the Energy Star label.

• Energy Efficiency Trends in Residential and Commercial Buildings: This report reveals the number of residential and commercial buildings built with the Energy Star label since the early 2000s.
• National Energy Conservation Policy Act: The original law which came into being in 1978 was amended to include the Energy Star program. This site also has a list of other energy laws that have taken into effect since.

Energy Star Label

The United States Environmental Protection Agency awards the Energy Star label to products that can measurably contribute to energy savings, all while meeting the standards of performance demanded by consumers, and also measured and verified for energy consumption. The specifications for the Energy Star label differ for each product.

• How to Read the Energy Guide Label: Here you can read the United States Department of Energy’s shopping tips for appliances.
• Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information: This is a guide to the energy guide label and shopping strategies for home appliances.
• National Association of Realtors Energy Star 101: This article talks about Energy Star homes, and the various aspects, other than appliances, that Energy Star is concerned with.
• Energy Star Homes – Today in Energy: This news update includes some very interesting statistics on Energy Star homes.

Energy Star Products

Energy Star not only recognizes appliances like dishwashers, but also light bulbs, computers, furnaces, and televisions. The program covers over 60 product categories. Products that are Energy Star labeled are easily identifiable and are sold just about everywhere.

• Energy Star Products Listing: Find Energy Star products for your home and business on the official site.
• The Natural Resources Defense Council Energy Star Guide: This is a buying guide to refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, room air conditioners, central air conditioners, water heaters and home electronics.
• Introduction to Energy Efficiency for Consumers: This site prioritizes energy usage for each appliance and talks about which items to replace.
• What is Energy Star? Tulane University’s educational guide to Energy Star as well as a products listing.

Why Buy Energy Star Products?

Saving on energy obviously saves money on a monthly electric bill, and the more energy-saving products, the better. There are also government incentives such as rebates and tax exemptions for immediate gratification. However, the most important benefit may be the knowledge that saving on energy can improve the environment as a whole, and the landscape of the future.

• Energy Star Label Saves Energy and Money: This contains an average savings of using Energy Star products.
• US Small Business Administration Energy Calculators: Calculate the amount of money saved with Energy Star products for a small business.
• Tax incentives for buying Energy Star products: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reviews the Energy Incentives for Individuals in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
• International Energy Agency Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency Improvements: This is a report on the global benefits on a macroeconomic level of improving energy efficiency.
• 16 Easy-to-follow Tips to Lower Your Utility Bills: Penn State presents some other tips for saving energy, in addition to using Energy Star products.
• Benefits of Energy Star Homes – An article discussing the extra benefits and money saved when buying an Energy Star home.
• Energy Star Shopping List – A list of some of the best products to purchase when looking for the Energy Star label.