What Does ENERGY STAR Mean for Electronics?

Most consumers today are aware of the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation. By using and wasting less electricity and other resources, you can save a lot of money in the long run while being more environmentally conscientious. Fortunately, when it comes to modern living, there are plenty of ways to use less energy in your home. One of these ways is by purchasing and installing certified ENERGY STAR® products.

What is ENERGY STAR Certified and why does it matter?

ENERGY STAR ratings are a voluntary system of encouraging energy efficiency in the manufacturing and purchase of residential, commercial and industrial products. The program was developed in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is currently regulated by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the EPA.¹ To become a certified ENERGY STAR product, appliances and electronics must meet criteria for energy efficiency.

Less wasteful

Some of the most energy efficient appliance options are those that are certified through ENERGY STAR, and the numbers are pretty compelling. For example, an ENERGY STAR certified TV consumes half as much energy as a standard TV while it’s powered off, while an ENERGY STAR refrigerator runs 15% more efficiently than the Federal standard for minimum efficiency.² That can amount to some pretty significant energy conservation. To learn more about other ways to conserve energy, consider also looking into how to create an energy-efficient home.

Impressive cost savings

Aiming for purchasing products with the certification is also beneficial because it can save quite a bit of money in the long term. It’s pretty straightforward as to why this is: when you don’t waste electricity, you don’t pay for the energy you aren’t actually using. The ENERGY STAR program incentivizes sustainability by cutting costs for consumers.

Some ENERGY STAR electronics and appliances have higher upfront costs than conventional products, but those initial costs are typically absorbed and even surpassed in energy savings like the ones described above. If you’re still not convinced, the DOE estimates that there have been around $500 billion in energy costs since the ENERGY STAR program was implemented.See Disclosure ³

And when you upgrade your home to qualifying products like an ENERGY STAR air conditioner, heat pump or water heater, you can qualify for tax credits. It’s a win for your wallet and the environment.

Significant environmental impacts

Since being implemented in 1992, ENERGY STAR has made a measurable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by keeping about 4 billion metric tons of them out of the atmosphere. That’s in addition to cutting hundreds of thousands of tons of sulfur dioxide emissions, nitrogen oxides and fine particulates from the air we breathe.³Choosing ENERGY STAR products is a more sustainable choice for the environment that can help contribute toward cleaner air by reducing pollution.

Choosing ENERGY STAR rated products

How do you know what is ENERGY STAR rated and what isn’t?

One of the easiest ways to know if an electronic or appliance is ENERGY STAR certified is to check for the blue logo. However, because of recent updates to the ENERGY STAR requirements, you can ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date version of the qualified products by purchasing the newest models. This update applies to products including:

Air source heat pumps, ducted central AC
Ductless heat pumps and AC
Washing machines
Dryers
Computer monitors
Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Dishwashers
Air purifiers
Ventilating fans

Many smart home products are ENERGY STAR certified, so you’ll also easily find what you’re looking for if you decide to learn how to use technology to save energy in your home. Smart home products are perfect companions for appliances like an ENERGY STAR rated cooling or heating system, since smart technology helps reduce energy consumption even more.

References

1. “About ENERGY STAR.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Energy. 2023. https://www.energystar.gov/about.

2. “What Makes a Product ENERGY STAR?” United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Energy. 2023. https://www.energystar.gov/products/what_makes_product_energy_star.

3. “ENERGY STAR Impacts.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Energy. 2023. https://www.energystar.gov/about/impacts.