How old is energy star program

These savings also led to reductions of , short tons of sulfur dioxide, , short tons of nitrogen oxides, and 27, short tons of fine particulate matter PM2. Paired with carefully researched bilingual messaging, utility-sponsored rebates, and geo-targeted advertising to encourage purchases, ENERGY STAR certified products can deliver significant cost savings for low-income families.

Skip to main content. Homepage Header Search box Search. Print as PDF. To make a refrigerator more energy-efficient, for instance, manufacturers must spend money to research and develop energy innovations. While Energy Star encourages manufacturers to find cheaper ways to produce these products, the cost of innovation is often passed along to the buyer. But you can recoup the cost over time with lower utility bills, and the federal government and some local governments also offer rebates and tax breaks to encourage consumers to convert to Energy Star.

But what exactly is Energy Star, and what does it mean for the products we use? In this article, we'll look at how Energy Star got its start and where it's headed. We'll find out how much energy a product must conserve to get the Energy Star label, as well as what homeowners can do to build or remodel their homes so they can have an Energy Star home.

Finally, we'll find out just how much money you can save with rebates and tax breaks by using Energy Star products. The Environmental Protection Agency designed Energy Star to encourage manufacturers to produce energy-efficient products, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Congress did pass the Energy Policy and Conservation Act in , which set minimum standards of energy efficiency for many major appliances , but the EPA took it a step further in Energy Star provides credible, objective information to businesses and consumers so they don't have to invest time and money researching energy efficiency.

The voluntary program was initially designed for computers and monitors -- home computers were relatively new to the market, so many consumers weren't aware that this technology could be raising their energy bills significantly. Other office equipment and residential heating and cooling equipment were added to the list over the next three years, and in , the EPA partnered with the Department of Energy for additional product categories. The Energy Star program operates by lowering the cost of production so consumers can more easily afford energy-efficient products.

The label makes a product more attractive to consumers, so it's an incentive for manufacturers to become more energy-efficient. Energy Star is basically an economics lesson for environmentalists. Consider Joe Homeowner trying to buy a new TV. He's an average consumer who doesn't understand a lot about electronics or energy consumption, and he doesn't have an endless amount of money to spend.

However, he wants a reliable TV that isn't going to suck up a lot of energy and increase his bills. Energy Star is the middleman, encouraging the manufacturer to make a TV that won't use as much energy, even when it's turned off yes, appliances still use energy even when they're turned off.

The Energy Star program tests the sets for energy use and makes sure that the energy-reducing innovations haven't reduced the functional quality of the TV set. The Energy Star label allows Joe to consider a field of potential products -- he can see immediately how much electricity his new TV would be using. So what does a product need to do to get the Energy Star label? It begins with the Department of Energy "Energy Guide" label, the familiar yellow tag that stores require on all major home appliances.

This label indicates the results of testing according to the Department of Energy's standard procedures.

The label lists how much energy the appliance uses, compared with similar products, and the approximate annual operating costs. Estimated yearly operating costs are based on the national average cost of electricity. If the product has met the specific criteria for its particular category -- typically a percent reduction in energy consumption versus other products in the same category -- the yellow tag will have an Energy Star label on it.

Next, we'll learn about the Energy Star label for homes. According to the EPA, commercial buildings contribute nearly 18 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions in the United States , but those with the Energy Star label cut their energy consumption by 35 percent. The Energy Star rating applies to the commercial building shell, lighting, food-service equipment, heating, cooling, ventilation, office equipment and appliances.

The U. And before you purchase your new appliance, be sure to reach out to Black Hills Energy. Their team of energy efficiency experts can help determine if you qualify for a rebate. Who knew saving energy and money could be so easy? Being more energy efficient and implementing some energy-saving tips could reduce the amount of money you spend on your utility bill.