An Energy Star rated appliance is one that meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) specifications for energy efficiency.
Appliances that meet these specifications are given an Energy Star label, making it easier for consumers to purchase products that are less harmful to the environment while saving them money on energy costs.
What is an Energy Star Appliance?
In order for an appliance to earn an Energy Star Label, the appliance must meet the following 6 specifications.
- “Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide.
- Qualified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.
- If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through utility bill savings, within a reasonable period of time.
- Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.
- Product energy consumption and performance can be measured and verified with testing.
- Labeling would effectively differentiate products and be visible for purchasers.” [1]
Benefits of Energy Star Appliances
- Reduce home energy consumption & costs from 10 – 50%.
- Environmentally friendly & help lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.
- Can do more with less (i.e. do larger loads of laundry using less energy)
Energy Star Savings
Purchasing an Energy Star rated appliance may cost you a bit more than conventional types of appliances but you will save money on your home’s energy bills in the long run. To figure out how much energy and money a new Energy Star rated appliance will save you, use this free Energy Savings Calculator.
References: [1] (EnergyStar. How a Product Earns the Energy Star Label. Energy Star. 20 Feb 2012.<http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_how_earn>)
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well written. thanks for informative article.
Thanks so much for the compliment. Glad you liked it.