What Is Energy Star?

What Is Energy Star?

Energy Star is U.S. government voluntary labeling program seeking to promote energy efficiency. Products identified as energy efficient can display the Energy Star label so that consumers can weigh a product's energy efficiency into their purchasing decisions.

Product Categories

The Energy Star program is being applied in over 60 product categories, including electronics, appliances, lighting and new home construction.

Meaning

The label on a product means the product works as well as, or better, than others in its class while using less energy. This also means the product costs less to run.

Oversight

The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency run the Energy Star program together, enlisting more than 15,000 other organizations in the endeavor.

Savings

According to the government, the savings to consumers and businesses brought about by the Energy Star program have been substantial: in 2008, $19 billion.

History

The EPA founded Energy Star in 1992 to reduce greenhouse emissions and promote energy efficiency, partnering with the Department of Energy in 1996. Computers and monitors were first labeled. The program expanded as time passed