If you have ever bought a flat screen television, had to replace an air conditioning system, or shopped for appliances, you are probably familiar with the ENERGY STAR label. The bright yellow label or the teal and white tag is pretty impossible to miss.

But what makes an appliance ENERGY STAR? Are appliances with the label the same or better than others? Let’s find out.

What does the ENERGY STAR mean?

Let’s first understand what ENERGY STAR is. It is the government-backed and trusted symbol for energy efficiency. The aim of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program is to identify products that are energy efficient, to help consumers make more informed choices.

Long-term, the program aims to reduce emissions from greenhouse gas as well as pollutants by promoting the use of products that use less energy and save money at the same time.

ENERGY STAR labels explained

Products that have the ENERGY STAR label are similar or better than their average counterparts but are more energy efficient. The ENERGY STAR label is designed to stand out, and according to its officials, 90 percent of the households in the U.S. recognize their label.

The ENERGY STAR label is bright teal blue with a white arch. Below the arch is the word energy along with the shape of the star. At the bottom, you will see the text in capitalized letters: ENERGY STAR.

The ENERGY STAR label comes with a bright yellow label that gives information about the energy efficiency test results of a product.

How products earn the label

The ENERGY STAR label is not just given to any product, it is earned. Products that earn this label had to meet strict requirements for energy efficiency. Below are some of the major specifications by the U.S. EPA.

• The performance and energy usage should be measurable and can be verified.
• Energy savings from the product needs to be nationwide.
• For a product category, the energy efficiency capabilities should originate from sources that are not limited to a single manufacturer and aren’t proprietary.

It would also be important to note that products should be able to offer savings without sacrificing their performance, and has to give the same functionality, comfort, and features to earn the ENERGY STAR label.

NEC Co-op Energy is committed to helping its consumers and customers become better informed about ways to use energy more efficiently. One of the ways to do this is by understanding the ENERGY STAR label so that its customers can make more informed choices. Check our blog regularly for news about the energy sector and for tips on how to reduce energy use at home.

Sources:

“How a Product Earns the ENERGY STAR Label,” Energy Star, https://www.energystar.gov/products/how-product-earns-energy-star-label

“What Makes a Product ENERGY STAR?” Energy Star, https://www.energystar.gov/products/what_makes_product_energy_star

“What is ENERGY STAR,” Energy Star, https://www.energystar.gov/about