History
The Energy Star program was created in 1992 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission by power plants. The program was developed by John S. Hoffman, inventor of the Green Programs at US EPA, and implemented by Cathy Zoi and Brian Johnson. The program was intended to be part of a series of voluntary programs, such as Green Lights and the Methane Programs, that would demonstrate the potential for profit in reducing greenhouse gases and facilitate further steps to reducing global warming gases.
Initiated as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy efficient products, Energy Star began with labels for computer products. In 1995 the program was significantly expanded, introducing labels for residential heating and cooling systems and new homes. As of 2006, more than 40,000 Energy Star products are available in a wide range of items including major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, and more. In addition, the label can also be found on new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. In 2006, about 12 percent of new housing in the United States was labeled Energy Star.
The EPA estimates that it saved about $14 billion in energy costs in 2006 alone. The Energy Star program has helped spread the use of LED traffic lights, efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems for office equipment, and low standby energy use.
In 2008, USEPA announced Green Power Partnership program, which was designed to help achieve its goal of encouraging the use of renewable power sources. The renewable energy credits allow companies without direct access to renewable power achieve their goals. However, to avoid companies buying RECs years in advance of any of the hypothetical power ever being produced, RECs are only accepted into the program when the actual equivalent renewable power will be produced.
Specifications
ENERGY STAR specifications differ with each item, and are set by either the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Energy. The following highlights product and specification information available on the ENERGY STAR website.
Appliances
As of early 2008, average refrigerators need 20% savings over the minimum standard. Dishwashers need at least 41% savings. Most appliances as well as heating and cooling systems have a yellow EnergyGuide label showing the annual cost of operation compared to other models. This label is created through the Department of Energy and often shows if an appliance is ENERGY STAR. While an ENERGY STAR label indicates that the appliance is more energy efficient than the minimum guidelines, purchasing an ENERGY STAR labeled product does not always mean you are getting the most energy efficient option available. For example, dehumidifiers that are rated under 25 pints per day of water extraction receive an ENERGY STAR rating if they have an energy factor of 1.2 (higher is better), while those rated 25 to 35 pints per day receive an ENERGY STAR rating for an energy factor of 1.4 or higher. Thus a higher-capacity but non-ENERGY STAR rated dehumidifier may be a more energy efficient alternative than an ENERGY STAR rated but lower-capacity model.
Heating and Cooling Systems
ENERGY STAR qualified Heat pumps, boilers, air conditioning systems, and furnaces are available. In addition, cooling and heating bills can be significantly lowered with air sealing and duct sealing. Air sealing reduces the outdoor air that penetrates a building, and duct sealing prevents attic or basement air from entering ducts and lessening the heating/cooling system’s efficiency.
ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners are at least 10% more energy efficient than the minimum U.S. federal government standards.
Home Electronics
ENERGY STAR qualified televisions use 30% less energy than average. In November 2008, television specifications will be improved to limit on-mode power use, in addition to standby power which is limited by the current specifications. A wider range of ENERGY STAR qualified televisions will be available. Other qualified home electronics include cordless phones, battery chargers, VCRs and external power adapters, most of which use 90% less energy.
Lighting
The ENERGY STAR is awarded to only certain bulbs that meet strict efficiency, quality, and lifetime criteria.
ENERGY STAR qualified fluorescent lighting uses 75% less energy and lasts up to ten times longer than normal incandescent lights.
ENERGY STAR Qualified Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting:
▪ Reduces energy costs — uses at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting, saving on operating expenses.
▪ Reduces maintenance costs — lasts 35 to 50 times longer than incandescent lighting and about 2 to 5 times longer than fluorescent lighting. No bulb-replacements, no ladders, no ongoing disposal program.
▪ Reduces cooling costs — LEDs produce very little heat.
▪ Is guaranteed — comes with a minimum three-year warranty — far beyond the industry standard.
▪ Offers convenient features — available with dimming on some indoor models and automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors on some outdoor models.
▪ Is durable — won’t break like a bulb.
To qualify for ENERGY STAR certification, LED lighting products must pass a variety of tests to prove that the products will display the following characteristics:
▪ Brightness is equal to or greater than existing lighting technologies (incandescent or fluorescent) and light is well distributed over the area lighted by the fixture.
▪ Light output remains constant over time, only decreasing towards the end of the rated lifetime (at least 35,000 hours or 12 years based on use of 8 hours per day).
▪ Excellent color quality. The shade of white light appears clear and consistent over time.
▪ Efficiency is as good as or better than fluorescent lighting.
▪ Light comes on instantly when turned on.
▪ No flicker when dimmed.
▪ No off-state power draw. The fixture does not use power when it is turned off, with the exception of external controls, whose power should not exceed 0.5 watts in the off state.
Home office
A new ENERGY STAR specification for desktop computers went into effect 20 July 2007. The requirements are more stringent than the previous specification and existing equipment designs can no longer use the logo unless re-qualified. The power requirements are for 80% or greater AC power supply efficiency using the standards defined by 80 Plus Program.[10]
New Homes
New homes that meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency can qualify for ENERGY STAR certification. An ENERGY STAR qualified home uses at least 15% less energy than standard homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). They usually include properly installed insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, energy efficient cooling and heating systems, and ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, lighting, and water heaters.
Further information: Green building in the United States
Energy Performance Ratings
The US EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has developed energy performance rating systems for several commercial and institutional building types and manufacturing facilities. These ratings, on a scale of 1 to 100, provide a means for benchmarking the energy efficiency of specific buildings and industrial plants against the energy performance of similar facilities. The ratings are used by building and energy managers to evaluate the energy performance of existing buildings and industrial plants. The rating systems are also used by EPA to determine if a building or plant can qualify to earn ENERGY STAR recognition.
Buildings
Commercial and institutional buildings rating have been developed for the following common building types:
Bank/Financial Institutions, Courthouses, Hospitals (acute care and children’s), Hotels and Motels, K-12 Schools, Medical Offices, Offices, Residence Halls/Dormitories, Retail Stores, Supermarkets, and Warehouses (refrigerated and non-refrigerated).
ENERGY STAR energy performance ratings have be incorporated into some green buildings standards, such as LEED for Existing Buildings.
Industrial Facilities
Energy performance ratings have been released for the following industrial facilities:
Automobile assembly plants, Cement Plants, and Corn Refineries(Wet Corn Mills).
Other Facilities
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants