What is Energy Star?

Energy Star is a program that was created in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One of its main goals is to provide consumers with much needed information so they can make purchase decisions based on economic and environmental considerations. It is only awarded to products that not only are energy efficient but also provide a reasonable payback for their initial investment.

At its inception, their main focus was on computers. This program however has grown significantly and includes many household goods and appliances. It benefits us as consumers and businesses by clearly marking with the Energy Star label those products that have met the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) minimum standards.

Why is it important? According to the EPA Publication Energy Star - The Power to Protect the Environment Through Energy Efficiency, The EPA estimates that in 2002, Americans, with the help of the Energy Star program:

• Saved more than 100 billion kWh of electricity.
• Prevented more than 20 Million Metric Tons of Carbon Equivalents (MMTCE) of greenhouse gas emissions, the emissions equivalent to those from more than 14 million automobiles.
• Saved more than $7 billion."