Energy Star

Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products. First created as a United States government program in 1992, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union have adopted the program. Devices carrying the Energy Star logo, such as computer products and peripherals, kitchen appliances, buildings and other products, save 20%-30% on average. [Alena Tugend. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/business/yourmoney/10shortcuts.html?scp=1&sq=appliances%20avocado%20green&st=cse "If Your Appliances Are Avocado, They're Probably not Green."] New York Times. 10 May 2008. Accessed on 29 June 2008.] However, many European-targeted products are labeled using a different standard, TCO Certification, a combined energy usage and ergonomics rating from the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) instead of Energy Star.

History

The Energy Star program was created in 1992 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission by power plants. The program was developed by John S. Hoffman, inventor of the Green Programs at US EPA, and implemented by Cathy Zoi and Brian Johnson. Fact|date=January 2007 The program was intended to be part of a series of voluntary programs, such as Green Lights and the Methane Programs, that would demonstrate the potential for profit in reducing greenhouse gases and facilitate further steps to reducing global warming gases. Fact|date=January 2007

Initiated as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy efficient products, Energy Star began with labels for computer products. In 1995 the program was significantly expanded, introducing labels for residential heating and cooling systems and new homes. [EnergyStar.gov, [http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.ab_milestones “Milestones: Energy Star.”] 2007. Retrieved on 1 March 2008.] As of 2006, more than 40,000 Energy Star products are available in a wide range of items including major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, and more. In addition, the label can also be found on new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. In 2006, about 12 percent of new housing in the United States was labeled Energy Star. [US Environmental Protection Agency, [http://www.energystar.gov/ia/news/downloads/annual_report_2006.pdf "2006 Annual Report: Energy Star and Other Climate Protection Partnerships."] Retrieved 1 March 2008.]

The EPA estimates that it saved about $14 billion in energy costs in 2006 alone. The Energy Star program has helped spread the use of LED traffic lights, efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems for office equipment, and low standby energy use. [EnergyStar.gov, [http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.ab_history "History: ENERGY STAR."] Retrieved 1 March 2008.]

pecifications

Energy Star specifications differ with each item, and are set by either the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Energy. The following highlights product and specification information available on the [http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product. Energy Star website.]

Appliances

As of early 2008, average refrigerators need 20% savings over the minimum standard. Dishwashers need at least 41% savings. Most appliances as well as heating and cooling systems have a yellow EnergyGuide label showing the annual cost of operation compared to other models. This label is created through the Department of Energy and often shows if an appliance is ENERGY STAR. [EnergyStar.gov, [http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=appliances.pr_energy_guide "Learn More about EnergyGuide: Energy Star."] Retrieved 1 March 2008.]

Heating and Cooling Systems

Energy Star Heat pumps, boilers, air conditioning systems, and furnaces are available. In addition, cooling and heating bills can be significantly lowered with ENERGY STAR air sealing and duct sealing. Air sealing reduces the outdoor air that penetrates a building, and duct sealing prevents attic or basement air from entering ducts and lessening the heating/cooling system’s efficiency.

Energy Star room air conditioners are at least 10% more energy efficient than the minimum U.S. federal government standards. [ [http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_crit_room_ac EnergyStar.gov, "Room Air Conditioners Key Product Criteria" Retrieved 2008-07-17.] ]

Home Electronics

Energy Star televisions use 30% less energy than average. In November 2008, television specifications will be improved to limit on-mode power use, in addition to standby power which is limited by the current specifications. A wider range of Energy Star televisions will be available.Other Energy Star home electronics include cordless phones, battery chargers, VCRs and external power adapters, most of which use 90% less energy.

Lighting

Energy Star fluorescent lighting uses 75% less energy and lasts up to ten times longer than normal incandescent lights.

Home office

A new Energy Star specification for desktop computers went into effect 20 July, 2007. [PowerPulse.net, [http://www.powerpulse.net/story.php?storyID=15059 "New Energy Star Promoting New Specs at APEC and PPDC".] March 20, 1948. Retrieved June 8, 2006.] The requirements are more stringent than the previous specification and existing equipment designs can no longer use the logo unless re-qualified. The power requirements are for 80% or greater AC power supply efficiency using the standards defined by 80 Plus Program. [80plus.org, [http://www.80plus.org/80what.htm "The 80 Plus Program | About"] . February 23, 2007. Retrieved March 03, 2007.]

New Homes

New homes that meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency can qualify for ENERGY STAR certification. An ENERGY STAR qualified home uses at least 15% less energy than standard homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). They usually include properly installed insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, energy efficient cooling and heating systems, and ENERGY STAR appliances, lighting, and water heaters. [www.energystar.gov/homes]

Energy Performance Ratings

The US EPA's ENERGY STAR program has developed energy performance rating systems for several commercial and institutional building types and manufacturing facilities. These ratings, on a scale of 1 to 100, provide a means for benchmarking the energy efficiency of specific buildings and industrial plants against the energy performance of similar facilities. The ratings are used by building and energy managers to evaluate the energy performance of existing buildings and industrial plants. The rating systems are also used by EPA to determine if a building or plant can qualify to earn ENERGY STAR recognition. [See www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.pt_neprs_learn and www.energystar.gov/benchmark]

Buildings

Commercial and institutional buildings rating have been developed for the following common building types [ [http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=eligibility.bus_portfoliomanager_eligibility "Criteria for Rating Building Energy Performance"] ] :

Bank/Financial Institutions,Courthouses,Hospitals (acute care and children’s),Hotels and Motels,K-12 Schools,Medical Offices,Offices,Residence Halls/Dormitories,Retail Stores,Supermarkets, andWarehouses (refrigerated and non-refrigerated).

ENERGY STAR energy performance ratings have be incorporated into some green buildings standards, such as LEED for Existing Buildings.

Industrial Facilities

Energy performance ratings have been released for the following industrial facilities [www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=in_focus.bus_industries_focus#plant] :

Automobile assembly plants, Cement Plants, and Corn Refineries(Wet Corn Mills).

Other Facilities

Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

ee also

*One Watt Initiative
*Power management
*E-waste
*Green computing
*Green energy
*House Energy Rating (Australia)
*European Union energy label
*Weatherization
*Miscellaneous electric load

References

External links

* [http://www.energystar.gov/ Official Energy Star web site]
* [http://www.energystar.gov.au/ Energy Star Australia]
* [http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/index.cfm Energy Star Canada]
* [http://www.eu-energystar.org/calculator.htm Energy Consumption Calculator]
* [http://ecolabelling.org/ecolabel/energy-star/ Energy Star entry at Ecolabelling.org]
* [http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/2007/10/clean-green-and-money-in-your-pocket.html Energy Efficiency] Breakdown of the costs, savings, and energy efficiency of Energy Star appliances
* [http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=estar_partner_list.showPartnerResults&s_code=ALL&partner_type_id=SP&cntry_code=ALL&award_search=N&award_category=ALL&award_year=ALL&resultsperpage=20&current_sort_column=NAME&current_sort_order=ASC&layout=default&letter=M Energy Star qualified Energy Service & Product Providers list]
* [http://www.mrelectricseattle.com Energy Star qualified Service Provider example]
* [http://www.energystar.org.tw/pdf/Computer_Spec_Final.pdf Energy Star 4.0 Computer specification]