The ENERGY STAR® program was introduced in 1992 by the EPA as “a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” (Source: www.energystar.gov). At the outset, the products it covered were mostly computer equipment, but the program quickly expanded to include general office equipment then grew further into residential heating and cooling systems. In 1996, the EPA added the U.S. Department of Energy as a partner of the program on certain items, which now include a wide variety of products such as doors, windows and many appliances. The DOE and EPA jointly oversee compliance with the program, including initial testing, random sample testing, aggressive follow-up on violations and more. (Photo Credit: www.thedigeratilife.com) 
The recently announced additional layer of testing involves 200 different models of the most commonly used appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and water heaters (Source: www.energy.gov, March 19). These were chosen for additional testing because they comprise roughly 25% of the average home’s overall energy bill and tend to be popular purchases. Other new steps introduced are more uniform testing procedures, which must now be conducted only at approved laboratories, and an ongoing verification program. (Photo Credit: www.sierraclubgreenhome.com)
Did you know?
- To qualify, the type of product must contribute to significant potential nationwide energy savings (no small-market, niche products)
- If the ENERGY STAR product is more expensive than similar items, it must demonstrate a cost savings equal to the difference in a reasonable amount of time
- In 2009, these products combined for a savings of $17 billion on nationwide utility bills and the equivalent greenhouse gas emission reduction of removing 30 million cars from the road
(Sources: www.energystar.gov, www.energy.gov)
There are roughly 40,000 products that carry the ENERGY STAR label and there are already rigorous standards in place to ensure that they live up to their energy savings promise. To learn more about how products can earn this designation, please visit this ENERGY STAR page.
So, what happens if a product fails in follow-up testing or is reported to the EPA and DOE as out of compliance with the program? In these situations, the rights to the label are immediately revoked and the product is investigated by the EPA, DOE or both. The large amount of negative attention that such an investigation can generate should encourage full with all testing and verification, but both the EPA and DOE have been aggressive about enforcing program compliance in the past. In one example of corrective action, in 2008 LG Electronics came to an agreement with the DOE to pay back consumers for promised energy savings and provide free, in-home upgrades to improve several models of refrigerators (Source: www.energy.gov). (Photo Credit: www.greenzer.com) 
In addition to all of these promises, many ENERGY STAR products are also eligible for tax credit. These include:
- Windows and doors
- Insulation
- Roofing material
- Air conditioners and furnaces
- Water heaters
- Biomass stoves
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Solar panels, solar water heaters
- Small wind energy systems
(Photo credit: blog.hgtv.com) For details about items that are tax-credit eligible and allowable credit amounts, please visit this ENERGY STAR page. (Photo Credit: www.ge.com)
It says a great deal about the commitment of both the EPA and the DOE to the energy efficiency cause that they continue to strengthen oversight of this program. So, the next time you see an ENERGY STAR® label, you’ll know that thousands of hours of research and testing were invested to verify that every such product saves you both the energy ad money that it promises. In addition, you can be sure that each of these products remains in compliance today and that there are more energy efficient products to come. For more information about both ENERGY STAR® products and testing procedures, please visit www.energystar.gov.
A note for Colorado residents - Recharge Colorado:The Governor’s Energy Office recently announced an energy efficiency program that will offer 75,000 rebates worth approximately $22 million as of April 19, 2010.
The rebates, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, “will offer Colorado consumers a service unprecedented in scope – providing comprehensive and localized information about rebates, financial incentives, contractors, energy conservation tips and availability of goods and services across the state.” (Source: http://rechargecolorado.com/) (Image Credit: www.lipower.org)
ENERGY STAR® appliance rebates will account for 16,000 of the total rebates available and will be only be offered on those appliances that are ENERGY STAR® rated (not just ENERGY STAR® labeled).
The following items are eligible as of April 19, 2010:
The following items are eligible as of April 19, 2010:
- Clothes washers - $75
- Dishwashers - $50
- Refrigerators - $100 (with proof the previous refrigerator was recycled)
- Refrigerators - $50 with no proof of recycling
- Furnaces – gas condensing $500
- Hot water heater – gas condensing/high performance $200 (minimum efficiency rating available in coming weeks)
- Hot water heater – gas tankless $300
- Gas boilers - $400
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