From televisions to light bulbs to washing machines, you probably see the blue ENERGY STAR stickers everywhere. Energy Star originated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a voluntary program designed “to help businesses and individuals save money and protect the environment, through superior energy efficiency”.1 Started in 1992, the ENERGY STAR program helps identify and promote products that are “superior in energy efficiency”.1 To understand how this blue Energy Star sticker benefits homeowners it’s helpful to know what energy efficiency is and what it means to be an Energy Star product.
What is energy efficiency?
“Energy efficiency simply means using less energy to perform the same task” 2, thereby eliminating energy waste. Efficiency is the opposite of waste and energy-efficient products help reduce waste in the form of greenhouse gas emissions and household energy costs.
What does it mean to be an ENERGY STAR product?
To earn the ENERGY STAR, “products must meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency”.1 Products with the ENERGY STAR distinction use less energy than products of the same category.1 In the past that might have meant they were higher priced, but due to high consumer demand for energy-efficient products, manufacturers are developing more certified appliances than non-certified ones.
Benefits of ENERGY STAR products for homeowners?
“Today’s best air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid-1970s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.” 4 ENERGY STAR products use less energy to get the same job done and this translates to lower energy bills and less unnecessary pollution for homeowners.
Additionally, homeowners can benefit when buying ENERGY STAR products through federal, state, and local incentives, including tax credits and rebates for purchasing energy-efficient products. Homeowners can find out more about federal incentives by visiting the energystar.gov website.
Homeowners benefit greatly from ENERGY STAR products through lower energy costs, reduction of pollutants into the environment, and in some situations the availability of incentives through tax credits. As local Orlando plumbing and HVAC experts, Rainaldi Home Services can answer your ENERGY STAR questions. Give us a call (407) 413-9795 or contact us online. We are always here to help you!