The Energy Star program provides a quick and easy way to distinguish between products when its energy efficiency is one of your criteria for buying something. The iconic blue star on the packaging or the product itself tells you that it uses less electricity or fuel than others similar to it without compromising its performance.
The U.S. EPA evaluates products based on a number of characteristics before it awards this designation that include:
- Its energy savings must be verifiable through standard measurements and tests.
- The product has to work well under a variety of conditions and climates.
- The money saved through the energy savings it offers has to offset its extra cost in within a reasonable period of time.
- The manufacturer uses technology that’s common within its particular field.
The products that are eligible for the program are those that embody technology that results in energy savings. HVAC equipment, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, water heaters and many electronics qualify for inclusion, but a few others don’t, like clothes dryers and stoves, since there’s little that can be done to make them inherently more efficient.
You’ll also find windows, doors, skylights, insulation and roofing products with the label. HVAC contractors can also join this EPA program that assures homeowners that they’re working with a company that uses the most energy efficient guidelines for equipment selection and installation.
Standards Change
Older products that received the Energy Star label in the past might not qualify now. Technological or mechanical improvements that increases efficiency has prompted the EPA to raise the standards for efficiency, especially for HVAC systems and water heaters, since these two systems use the bulk of energy in the typical home.
Recently the EPA started a new program to identify the top products within categories for efficiency. Its new Most Efficient label indicates that the product exceeds the efficiency of those with the familiar blue star.
Choosing Energy Star products makes it easy to select appliances and materials to increase home energy efficiency. If you’d like to learn more, contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, providing HVAC services for Indianapolis homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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