Reach for the Stars- ENERGY STAR that is: a Comprehensive Guide for Consumers

One of the most dreaded times of the month for both homeowners and renters alike is utility bill time- especially after having weeks of extreme heat and humidity (as we have had in Knoxville, TN this summer) causing many homeowners to crank up the AC and rev up the fans. However, there is one easy way to make your bill and home environment more pleasant, as well as soften your carbon footprint- just reach out for the stars and grab them. By stars, I am not referring to the celestial bodies of hot gas we enjoy in the evening sky, but the ENERGY STAR logo that can be found on over 50 products including thermostats, light bulbs, HVAC units, household appliances, TVs, and roofs.

Let ENERGY STAR Show You the Money!

The monetary savings that can be gained by using ENERGY STAR products can be quite beneficial. According the EPA and DOE, making the switch to high efficiency products can save about 1/3 on your energy bill AND also reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by about 1/3 as well. In 2008, the combined efforts of America's households' use of ENERGY STAR products saved a combined amount of $19 billion in utility bills and resulted in the reduction of greenhouse gases equivalent to that of 29 million cars!

So what exactly is ENERGY STAR? ENERGY STAR is a result of the joint program efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy to identify products that offer higher levels of energy efficiency. In order to be classified as an ENERGY STAR product, the product must have more than 15% energy efficiency than what is required.

All products are required to have EnergyGuide labels (click here for example)- these labels are designed to allow consumers to make energy conscious choices and display the total amount of energy used, yearly operating costs, as well as to how they compare to other models available for sale.

High efficiency products carry the ENERGY STAR label. The next time you are in the market for any appliance look for the ENERGY STAR label, not only will you save money on operating costs, but it will help reduce your overall carbon footprint.

Helpful Links Pertaining to ENERGY STAR Products:

ENERGY STAR Website

ENERGY STAR Store Locator

List of ENERGY STAR Products

Special offers and ENERGY STAR Rebates

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