What Is Energy Star?

If you're in the market for a brand-new appliance, you may have heard of Energy Star. Or maybe you've been browsing the products at Abt and see "Energy Star-rated" or "Energy Star-certified" written in the features. If so, you may be wondering exactly what Energy Star is and what this certification means. In this article, we'll dive into the program and labels, so our customers can get a better idea of what they're investing in as they upgrade their homes with Energy Star appliances.

Energy Star, introduced in 1992, is a voluntary government program sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Energy Star has become a widely known symbol of energy efficiency. In fact, they partner with thousands of organizations to promote solutions that can help improve air quality, protect public health and protect the climate. Energy Star is responsible for labeling different products to help customers find and identify which items are energy efficient or not so they can make more informed purchases. Energy Star appliances and products must meet specific criteria, which we'll dive into later. As of 2021, Americans have purchased over 300 million Energy Star-rated products, making their households far more environmentally friendly. But products are not the only thing Energy Star can evaluate. It's one of five key areas they focus on, including existing homes, new homes, commercial buildings and industrial plants. With the help of Energy Star appliances, products and places, American businesses and consumers can use less energy, which in turn means fewer fossil fuels being burned. Fossil fuels are responsible for a variety of air pollutants, including greenhouse gas emissions. In a later section, we'll explore the effect of these pollutants on human health and the environment.

So does investing in Energy Star appliances actually have a benefit? Has it made positive change? It's been over 30 years since the beginning of Energy Star, so the best way to answer this question is to look at all the organization has accomplished over the last three decades. Since 1992, they've saved five trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity and over $500 billion in energy costs. They've prevented four billion metric tons of emissions from entering the Earth's atmosphere too. All of this pollution prevention has resulted in an estimated $7-17 billion in public health benefits. Currently, 1200 retailers and 1700 manufacturers are partnered with Energy Star to produce millions of certified products. Additionally, over 80,000 product models on the market today have earned an Energy Star rating. So, it's safe to say that the environmental impact of Energy Star is larger than most people know.

Before we dive into what an Energy Star rating truly means, you may be wondering exactly what products can be certified in the first place. Spoiler: there aren't just Energy Star appliances. Whether it's air conditioners, Blu-Ray players, dishwashers or computers, there are a variety of products at Abt that share the Energy Star rating. If you're looking for a complete picture, explore our Energy Star center to see all the eco-friendly options available to you. This page pools all Energy Star appliances and products from Abt into one convenient location, so you can shop for energy-efficient items more easily than ever before.

The energy-efficient performance of each of these products is independently verified by Energy Star. So now you may be wondering: how exactly do Energy Star appliances and electronics earn their rating? To begin, manufacturers must sign a formal agreement with the EPA. Then, each product will be tested, reviewed and verified using strict performance requirements. All of these criteria are created by the EPA or the U.S. Department of Energy. While this process is completed by an uninvolved third party to maintain objectivity, the EPA oversees each step from start to finish to ensure proper results. Once the product is proven to be energy-efficient, it receives an Energy Star label. But this is not where Energy Star's work ends. The EPA also conducts post-market testing and audits for all Energy Star appliances and products to make sure the performance continues to meet criteria in the future. Plus, as time passes, products get more advanced and worldwide energy efficiency efforts get more evolved. That's why the Energy Star requirements fluctuate and change too. Curious to know the criteria for a certain product category? Use Energy Star's Product Specifications page to search for your next wish list item so you know exactly what factors make it so environmentally friendly.

So when you're browsing Abt, shopping for new technology or a new appliance, how will you know which products are Energy Star rated? Just keep an eye out for the Energy Star label. The label found on Energy Star appliances and other products features a blue star, with the word "energy" sitting next to it (pictured above to the right). Some customers may mix up an Energy Star label with an EnergyGuide label. These two are completely different, in appearance and purpose. The EnergyGuide label is meant to tell you how much energy the product uses and how it compares to similar items. The label itself is a yellow rectangle with black text (pictured above to the left).

There are plenty of reasons why one should purchase Energy Star appliances, for both the user and society as a whole. The first and most obvious is to protect the environment. As most appliances and electronics are plugged into wall outlets, it's important to note that most of this electricity is pulled from nearby power plants. Most power plants burn fossil fuels, which in turn, releases greenhouse gases that further progress climate change. Outside of greenhouse gases, power plant emissions also include other dangerous air pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. While this makes the outside air unhealthy for breathing, the burning of fossil fuels also affects indoor air quality, as the burning is done to heat buildings, boilers, furnaces and water. Using Energy Star appliances ultimately decreases the burning of fossil fuels and promotes a healthier environment.

If this weren't enough to convince you, Energy Star appliances and electronics can also save you money. In fact, Energy Star estimates that a standard household can reduce its energy bills by $450 every year by using Energy Star appliances and products. By reducing the energy you use at home, your monthly electric and energy bills will inevitably go down. If you live with several people in a large household, Energy Star appliances should appeal to you even more than most, as large households already use more energy than the typical customer. Sometimes, Energy Star appliances can be on the more expensive side when you first purchase them. While this may seem like a drawback, these products are actually bound to save you more money in the long run. Plus, various retailers and manufacturers have addressed the higher initial cost by offering discounts and rebates as well. If you invest in Energy Star-rated products like roofing, insulation, windows and water heaters, you may even qualify for certain tax credits.

If you're already in the process of upgrading your appliances and electronics at Abt, why not take the extra step and make your home more environmentally friendly? Now that you know more about Energy Star's efforts and how to identify the label, you're one step closer to purchasing Energy Star appliances and changing your lifestyle for the better. Interested in protecting the environment and lowering your energy use, but still seeking out more information? Check out our eco-friendly guide, as well as our energy-saving summer tips and start helping the planet one step at a time. Any remaining questions about Energy Star appliances can be answered by our energy experts at 800-860-3577.

Energy Star is a government-backed symbol that designates energy efficiency.

Energy Star appliances are those who use less energy than comparable counterparts.

Potentially, yes. The IRS offers credits that reward taxpayers for energy efficiency.