ENERGY STAR certified appliances are available throughout North America, making energy-efficient appliances easily accessible to many homes and businesses.
The caveat, though, is that these appliances typically cost a bit more, which may leave you wondering: Is the ENERGY STAR designation worth the price tag?
For the most part, yes. The cost-efficiency depends on a few variables such as the cost of electricity and of the appliances themselves, but there are also incentives that may enhance your savings.
ENERGY STAR is the official energy efficiency program endorsed by the US Department of Energy.
Established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992, the program’s mission is to provide unbiased information to help consumers make informed decisions about their energy use and encourage them to choose energy-efficient products.
Since its inception, the program has saved five trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and avoided four billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, in addition to helping US citizens lower their energy costs, the program contributes to a reduction in global warming that leads to climate change, increasing air quality, and protecting public health.
What Are ENERGY STAR Certified Products?
One of the ways in which the ENERGY STAR program is implemented is in the form of ENERGY STAR certifications.
An ENERGY STAR certification indicates to consumers that an item is energy-efficient, meaning that using it will conserve energy and increase savings on their power bills, compared to an appliance that doesn’t meet the certification standards. In addition, these certifications can make it easier for business owners to find products that will save energy and help them meet environmental requirements.
ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and building supplies are typically 10–20% more energy-efficient than their non-rated counterparts. The program has hundreds of certified products, from air conditioners and dryers to water heaters and light bulbs, giving more people access to energy-efficient options. Since 1992, Americans have purchased more than seven billion ENERGY STAR certified products.
In order to earn an ENERGY STAR rating, a product must achieve a certain level of energy efficiency. There are 75 product categories that can make the label, but each product needs to undergo rigorous testing procedures.
There’s a three-step process to determining the energy efficiency of an item:
Step 1: Testing the product
Manufacturers that want to certify their products need to have them tested through an EPA-recognized laboratory. Testers compare the energy consumption of a product to the minimum federal efficiency standard, which is set by the U.S Department of Energy, to determine its efficiency.
However, energy efficiency is not the only criterion. To earn the ENERGY STAR label, a product needs to deliver energy savings while maintaining the same or higher quality performance as the average, non-certified device.
Step 2: Review
An EPA-recognized body analyzes each product’s test results. In addition, these third-party bodies assess whether products adhere to ENERGY STAR requirements and qualify for the ENERGY STAR label.
Step 3: Testing Again
After the initial testing and review, certified products might be subjected to off-the-shelf testing to ensure that they meet the ENERGY STAR requirements in practice. There are currently about 70,000 product models that are ENERGY STAR certified. Consumers can find these products using the ENERGY STAR Product Finder tool.
What Are ENERGY STAR‘s Recommendations for Households?
ENERGY STAR has many recommendations for energy-saving electronics and appliances for residential consumers.
If you are in the market to buy a new television or audio/video equipment, consider the most energy-efficient alternatives. For example, ENERGY STAR televisions use 50% less electricity than non-certified models.
Kitchen and Laundry Appliances
There are also dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines that have ENERGY STAR‘s stamp of approval. ENERGY STAR refrigerators are 15% more energy-efficient than standard models, whereas ENERGY STAR dishwashers are 12% more efficient. ENERGY STAR washing machines offer even more benefits, using 33% less water and 25% less energy than non-certified alternatives.
In addition to product recommendations, ENERGY STAR also outlines energy-saving practices for everyday appliances. Here are some tips from their laundry best practices to help consumers save energy:
Washing tips:
- Use high-efficient detergent
- Run full loads
- Wash with cold water
- Choose a high spin speed
- Rinse your washer monthly
- Leave the machine door open for moisture to evaporate
Drying tips
- Use sensor instead of timed drying
- Choose the low-heat setting
- Consider using gas rather than an electric dryer
- Use an ENERGY STAR certified washer/dryer pair
- Clean the lint filter after every load
- Let clothes dry on a washing line if possible
There are ENERGY STAR kitchen tips for conserving energy, as well. Rather than switching on your oven, use your microwave for cooking and reduce your energy consumption by 80%. When using your stove, cover your pots and pans with lids to lower cooking times.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
Considering that about 50% of a household’s energy goes to temperature regulation, ENERGY STAR suggests the following to improve the energy efficiency and durability of your HVAC system:
- Change air filters monthly
- Do regular maintenance
- Switch to a smart thermostat
- Seal your ducts
- Use ENERGY STAR products
- Ensure proper installation
Sealing and Insulation
You can increase your home’s energy efficiency and comfort level by sealing air leaks and insulating your ceiling. Effective insulation can save you up to 10% on your energy bills. In addition, you can use weather stripping on doors and caulking around windows to maintain your home’s desired temperature.
Lights and Fans
Whenever you leave a room, switch off all lights and fans. In addition, choose ENERGY STAR certified bulbs for indoor and outdoor areas. These light bulbs use about 66% less energy than standard bulbs.
Windows, Doors, and Skylights
Keep doors and windows shut to keep the air in your home at a consistent temperature. The more you do to maintain the temperature, the less energy your HVAC would need for regulation. It is also advisable to close your curtains or shutters in summer to block the heat. Installing a door sweep or weather stop on your garage door will also help.
The following are a few tips for ensuring that your windows, doors, and skylights deliver optimal savings:
- Find out in which ENERGY STAR climate zone you are located
- Choose ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors, and skylights
- Ensure that the product in question meets the criteria for your area or climate zone
- Take advantage of the financial incentives of choosing ENERGY STAR certified fittings
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How Can ENERGY STAR Products Help Save Money?
ENERGY STAR offers rebates and cost savings to manufacturers who comply with their requirements and consumers who purchase ENERGY STAR-rated products. These incentives are meant to encourage sustainability efforts at individual and organizational levels.
Certain certified products come with financial rebates to balance out upfront costs. The ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder tool can help you discover special offers in your area. For example, rebates might involve a one-off refund or refunds based on the kilowatt-hours you consume. You could also qualify for a rebate if you recycle an old appliance.
ENERGY STAR products can also help you reduce your energy and water bills. Over an ENERGY STAR product‘s ten to 20-year lifespan, it can use 10–50% less energy than a standard product.
There are also renewable energy tax credit benefits for existing and new homeowners. For example, suppose you purchase and use renewable energy systems, such as fuel cells, small wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps. In that case, you can get 26% for systems placed in service after December 21, 2019 and before January 1, 2023, and 22% for systems placed in service after December 31, 2022 and before January 1, 2024.
How Does ENERGY STAR Help the Private Sector?
ENERGY STAR helps businesses save energy, reduce expenses, and improve their market position by equipping them with energy-efficiency tools and resources. The private sector depends heavily on ENERGY STAR to provide guidance and strategies for optimal energy management.
One resource for business owners is the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, which allows them to track commercial properties’ energy, water, and waste levels. Properties are assigned an ENERGY STAR score between one and 100. For example, if a building gets a score of 50, it means that those users perform better than 50% of their peers.
The energy efficiency of industrial plants can also be measured using the EPA‘s Energy Performance Indicators (EPIs), which help companies make better investment decisions. In addition, the ENERGY STAR Tenant Space recognizes sustainability efforts for organizations that lease office space.
What Are Some Updates on the ENERGY STAR Program?
In February 2022, the EPA launched the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade initiative to get US households to help realize their clean energy goals. The initiative includes a series of high-impact home improvements to help save $500 a year on energy bills while reducing their carbon footprint.
There are six home improvements, each designed to save energy and costs while helping homeowners transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
The following upgrades are encouraged:
Installing An ENERGY STAR Certified Air Source Heat Pump
An ENERGY STAR certified air source heat pump (ASHP) works by extracting heat from the outside into your home in the winter while drawing the heat out of your home in the summer. These systems will reduce your energy consumption and lower your household’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Installing An ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pump Water Heater
Heat pump water heaters work by capturing the heat from surrounding air and transferring it to the tank.
Heat pump water heaters that boast the ENERGY STAR certification use 70% less energy than standard electric models.
Using An ENERGY STAR Certified Smart Thermostat
With a smart thermostat, you can adjust your home’s temperature from a Wi-Fi device. By doing so, you can change your home’s temperature when you are away, allowing you to save more on energy costs.
Installing ENERGY STAR Certified Windows and Storm Windows
These windows are designed to allow the optimal amount of solar heat to pass through so that your home stays cool and comfy in the summer months and warm and cozy in winter. Homeowners can save an estimated 10% annually by installing storm windows instead of single-pane clear glass windows.
Ensuring That Attics Are Well-Insulated and Sealed
Air that leaks through your home’s attic wastes energy and increases your utility costs. With a well-insulated, sealed attic, homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs.
Building Electric Vehicle-Ready Homes
Many Americans are making the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Since most EV charging happens at home, there is an increasing demand for homes equipped for this purpose.
While EVs are usually more expensive to purchase, you can save a lot on operating expenses because maintenance tends to be cheaper. Also, a 2020 Consumer Reports study found that EVs use about 60% less fuel compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.
ENERGY STAR Means Energy Savings
ENERGY STAR programs allow individuals and organizations to save energy, reduce their utility costs, and comply with governmental regulations. Moreover, the financial incentives that ENERGY STAR offers make it easy and beneficial for families and businesses to adopt cleaner energy practices and invest in energy-efficient products.
Brought to you by energysavings.com
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