Energy eficiency

COURTESY :  buckingham.com

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

You’re likely familiar with the ENERGY STAR logo – light blue and white, typically featured on many items in your local home improvement store from light bulbs to dishwashers. Although the imagery is well known, the process and benefits are sometimes glossed over. Here is some information about ENERGY STAR products that you may not know.

How is a product certified?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all products vying for ENERGY STAR certification be tested in an EPA-recognized laboratory. This testing process verifies the energy savings cited by the manufacturer and whether it meets product-specific requirements.

What types of products have the ENERGY STAR logo?

A lot. To name a few:

• Appliances: clothes dryers, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, dishwashers, freezers, and refrigerators
• Electronics: audio/video, digital media players, set-top boxes, slates and tablets, telephones, and televisions
• Lighting: ceiling fans, decorative light strings, light bulbs, light fixtures
• Building Products: residential windows, doors and skylights, roof products, seal and insulate, and storm windows

…and more. The complete list can be found here.

What are the benefits of buying an ENERGY STAR certified product?

As suspected, saving energy is the primary benefit. However, there are multiple products that save other resources, including water. ENERGY STAR products also tout less maintenance, which can save on operational costs.

Household appliances account for 11% of energy use in an average household. Selecting high-efficiency models can help drive utility bill savings. When comparing an ENERGY STAR certified product to a standard model, the following list highlights anticipated energy and resource savings:

• Refrigerators – 15% energy savings
• Clothes washer – 33% energy savings and 50% less water
• Clothes dryer – 20% energy savings
• Dishwasher – 10% energy savings and 20% less water

Where can I purchase an ENERGY STAR product?

Most home improvement stores as well as online retailers carry a variety of certified products. In some instances, utility rebates are available at the time of purchase or through an application process, further lowering the purchase price and return on investment.