What does ENERGY STAR® really mean? If all the appliances are ENERGY STAR, is there really a point to it?

Question: What does ENERGY STAR® really mean? If all the appliances are ENERGY STAR, is there really a point to it?

ENERGY STAR® is a joint program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy that’s designed to encourage energy efficiency for the home and for business.

Your question is a good one because we’re always encouraging customers to look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying appliances. But when you go to the store, it seems like all of the products have ENERGY STAR labels, right? Not quite. Many do, and that’s a good thing. It means those products meet the energy-efficiency guidelines set by the ENERGY STAR program, so you’ll save energy and help the environment.

You might not realize it, but the ENERGY STAR program has only been around since 1992. Since that time, it has encouraged manufacturers to design products to be much more efficient in order to meet ENERGY STAR standards. For example, most refrigerators that pre-date the program use twice the energy of a new ENERGY STAR-qualified model.

According to a report on the ENERGY STAR website, the program played a role in helping Americans prevent 170 million metric tons of green house gas emissions in 2010 alone — equivalent to the annual emissions from 33 million vehicles — and save about $18 billion on their utility bills.

ENERGY STAR especially crucial for big energy users
It is true that if you’re shopping for, let’s say, a new DVD player, chances are many, if not all, of the different models will have the ENERGY STAR label. That’s great news for all of us! But if you’re shopping for a major appliance such as a refrigerator or clothes washer — both of which use a lot more energy than a DVD player, so energy efficiency is more crucial — there are models that do not have the reassuring blue-and-white ENERGY STAR sticker. No ENERGY STAR? Choose a different model.

But keep in mind that the ENERGY STAR label should just be your starting point for choosing appliances. For models that meet even higher efficiency standards, look for refrigerators, clothes washers and dishwashers that also qualify for the Energy Trust of Oregon cash incentives and Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credits.

The ENERGY STAR website has lots of helpful energy-saving information for consumers, including a comprehensive list of all ENERGY STAR qualified products, information to help you save energy at home, home improvement ideas and much more.