Energy Star

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with dark energy star.

The Energy Star logo is placed on energy-efficient products.

Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States
of America. It was first created as a United States government program during the early 1990s, but Australia,
Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union have also adopted the program. Devices
carrying the Energy Star logo, such as computer products and peripherals, kitchen appliances, buildings and
other products, generally use 20%30% less energy than required by federal standards.[1] However,
many European-targeted products are labeled using a different standard, TCO Certification, a combined energy
usage and ergonomics rating from theSwedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) instead of
Energy Star.
Contents
[hide]

1 History

2 Specifications

2.1 Computers

2.2 Servers

2.3 Appliances

2.4 Heating and Cooling Systems

2.5 Home Electronics

2.6 Lighting

2.7 Home office

2.8 New Homes

3 Energy Performance Ratings

3.1 Buildings

3.2 Industrial Facilities

3.3 Other Facilities

4 Controversies

5 See also

6 References

7 External links

[edit]History
The Energy Star program was created in the early 1990s 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 EPA, working closely with the
IT industry, and implemented by Cathy Zoi and Brian Johnson.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
Initiated as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy efficient products, Energy
Star began with labels for computer and printer products. In 1995 the program was significantly expanded,
introducing labels for residential heating and cooling systems and new homes.[2] 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.[3]
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 LEDtraffic lights, efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems for office
equipment, and low standby energy use.[4]
In 2008, the EPA 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.[5]

[edit]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.

[edit]Computers
New Energy Star 4.0 specifications for computers became effective on July 20, 2007. They require the use
of 80 PLUS Bronze level or higher power supplies. Energy Star 5.0 became effective on July 1, 2009.[6]

[edit]Servers
The EPA released Version 1.0 of the Computer Server specifications on May 15, 2009. It covers standalone
servers with one to four processor sockets. A second tier to the specification covering servers with more than
four processor sockets, as well as blade servers and fault-tolerant machines is expected in late 2010.

[edit]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.[7] 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 US pints (12 L) 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 US pints (12 L) to 35 US pints (17 L) 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.[8] The Energy Star program's savings calculator has also been criticized for unrealistic assumptions in
its model that tend to magnify savings benefits to the average consumer.[9]
Another factor yet to be considered by the EPA and DOE is the overall effect of energy-saving requirements on
the durability and expected service life of a mass-market appliance built to a consumer-level cost standard. For
example, a refrigerator may be made more efficient by the use of more insulative spacing and a smallercapacity compressor using electronics to control operation and temperature. However, this may come at the
cost of reduced interior storage (or increased exterior mass) or a reduced service life due to compressor and/or
electronic failures. In particular, electronic controls used on new-generation appliances are subject to damage
from shock, vibration, moisture, or power spikes on the electrical circuit to which they are attached. Critics have
pointed out that even if a new appliance is energy-efficient, any consumer appliance that does not provide

customer satisfaction, or must be replaced twice as often as its predecessor contributes to landfill pollution and
wastage of natural resources used to construct its replacement.[10]

[edit]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 systems efficiency.
Energy Star qualified room air conditioners are at least 10% more energy efficient than the minimum U.S.
federal government standards.[11]

[edit]Home

Electronics

Energy Star qualified televisions[12] 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.

[edit]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 shutoff and motion sensors on some outdoor models.

Is durable wont 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.

[edit]Home

office

A new Energy Star specification for desktop computers went into effect 20 July 2007. [13] 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.[14]

[edit]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 installedinsulation, high performance windows, tight
construction and ducts, energy efficient cooling and heating systems, and Energy Star qualified appliances,
lighting, and water heaters.[15]
Further information: Green building in the United States

[edit]Energy

Performance Ratings

The U.S. 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.[16]
For many types of commercial buildings, you can enter energy information into EPA's free online tool, Portfolio
Manager [2], and it will calculate a score for your building on a scale of 1-100. Buildings that score a 75 or
greater may qualify for the ENERGY STAR. Portfolio Manager is an interactive energy management tool that
allows you to track and assess energy and water consumption across your entire portfolio of buildings in a

secure online environment. Whether you own, manage, or hold properties for investment, Portfolio Manager
can help you set investment priorities, identify under-performing buildings, verify efficiency improvements, and
receive EPA recognition for superior energy performance.[17]

[edit]Buildings
The number of space types that can receive the energy performance rating in Portfolio Manager is expanding
and now includes:[18]
Bank/Financial Institutions, Courthouses, Hospitals (acute care and childrens), Hotels and Motels, House of
Worship, K-12 Schools, Medical Offices, Offices, Residence Halls/Dormitories, Retail Stores, Supermarkets,
and Warehouses (refrigerated and non-refrigerated).[19]
See the Technical Descriptions for Models Used in the Rating System at [3]. These documents provide detailed
information on the methodologies used to create the energy performance ratings including details on rating
objectives, regression techniques, and the steps applied to compute a rating.
Energy Star energy performance ratings have be incorporated into some green buildings standards, such as
LEED for Existing Buildings.
Energy Conservation Building Code - India

[edit]Industrial

Facilities

Energy performance ratings have been released for the following industrial facilities:[20]
Automobile assembly plants, Cement Plants, Wet Corn Mills, Container glass manufacturing, Flat glass
manufacturing, Frozen fried potato processing plants, Juice processing, Petroleum refineries, Pharmaceutical
manufacturing plants.[19]

[edit]Other

Facilities

Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

== Small Business Award == The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) annually recognizes small
businesses that demonstrate abilities to reduce waste, conserve energy, and recycle. The businesses use
resources and ideas outlined in the Energy Star program. The award was established in 1999. The 2010
winners include AutoFair Companies [4] from Manchester, NH, , Dagher Engineering [5] New York, NY,
Engineering Excellence [6] from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Patriot Subaru [7] of Saco, Maine. [21]

[edit]Controversies

On December 17, 2008, the EPA Office of the Inspector General released its report on the Energy Star
program. The Inspector General's audit found that the program claims regarding greenhouse gas reductions
were inaccurate and based on faulty data. Additionally, the IG found that Energy Star program's reported
energy savings were unreliable, and that many of the touted benefits could not be verified. "Deficiencies
included the lack of a quality review of the data collected; reliance on estimates, forecasting, and unverified
third party reporting; and the potential inclusion of exported items," the report concluded.[22]
Additionally, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Consumer Reports, and the trade website
ApplianceAdvisor.com,[23]have released statements claiming that Energy Star test procedures contained
loopholes that allow many inefficient products to receive Energy Star labels. Specific claims include:

U.S. Department of Energy regulations allowed the manufacturers to test the refrigerators with their icemakers turned off, which is not how they are normally used in the home. However, the Energy Star
requirements usually exclude refrigerators that include an ice maker because of the penetration of the ice
dispenser. Some designs get around this by dispensing the ice into a tray located in the freezer. [citation needed]

Using outdated testing rules and loose standards to award Energy Star ratings.

The program allows manufacturers to test their own products and only selectively spot-checks the test
results they submit.

There are so many individually rated refrigerator categories that even inefficient product categories (such
as Side by Sides) are certified.

Before the complaints were raised in 2008, 2006 federal court had required the DOE to update and tighten
misleading Energy Star ratings given to products in almost two dozen categories, including dishwashers, air
conditioners, heaters, furnaces and clothes dryers. The updates were to settle complaints by 14 states,
including Pennsylvania. However, categories such as room air conditioners and clothes dryers would not be
completed until June 2011.[24]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had released reports in 2007 and 2008 claiming Energy Star labels
were misleading. Inspector general issued a report that said Energy Star's savings claims were "not accurate or
verifiable." The report also found that shipment data for Energy Star products were not being adequately
reviewed and in some cases, were based on estimates instead of actual shipping totals.[25]
Martin Hellman revealed that Energy Star standby mode requirement can be compromised when an electronic
device uses Download Acquisition Mode (DAM) feature to update TV Guide listing during standby mode.
Hellman first found the feature on Sony KDL-37XBR6.[26]

In March 2010, a report by the Government Accountability Office stated that the Energy Star program had
accepted 15 out of 20 bogus products submitted for approval. The Energy Star program had also qualified four
businesses as Energy Star partners, failing to catch the fact that information on the companies, products and
staff were all fictitious.[27]

[edit]See

also

Energy portal

One Watt Initiative

Power management

E-waste

Green computing

Green energy

House Energy Rating (Australia)

European Union energy label

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Weatherization

Miscellaneous electric load

Bureau of Energy Efficiency India

EnerWorks

NTA Inc - Home Energy Rater

[edit]References

1. ^ Alena Tugend (10 May 2008). "If Your Appliances Are Avocado, They're Probably not Green". New York
Times. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
2. ^ EnergyStar.gov, Milestones: ENERGY STAR. 2007. Retrieved on 1 March 2008.
3. ^ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "2006 Annual Report: Energy Star and Other Climate Protection
Partnerships.". Retrieved 1 March 2008.
4. ^ EnergyStar.gov, "History: ENERGY STAR.". Retrieved 1 March 2008.
5. ^ Timmer, John (2008-12-23). "EPA tightens rules on its Green Power Partners". Arstechnica.com.
Retrieved 2009-03-23.
6. ^ Ng, Jansen (1 July 2009). "New Energy Star 5.0 Specs for Computers Become Effective
Today". DailyTech. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
7. ^ EnergyStar.gov, "Learn More about EnergyGuide: Energy Star.". Retrieved 1 March 2008.

8. ^ Green Energy Efficient Homes, Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers

9. ^ Belzer, Richard Energy Star Appliances: EPA's Savings Calculator Exaggerates Savings, Regulatory
Economics, 5 March 2008
10. ^ Muoz, Sara Schaeffer, Do 'Green' Appliances Live Up To Their Billing, The Wall Street Journal,
Business, 2 August 2007
11. ^ "EnergyStar.gov, "Room Air Conditioners Key Product Criteria" Retrieved 2008-07-17". Energystar.gov.
Retrieved 2009-03-23.
12. ^ California Sustainability Alliance Energy Star Televisions, Received July 24th, 2010
13. ^ PowerPulse.net, "New Energy Star Promoting New Specs at APEC and PPDC". March 20, 1948.
Retrieved June 8, 2006.
14. ^ 80plus.org, "The 80 Plus Program | About". February 23, 2007. Retrieved March 03, 2007.
15. ^ "ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes : ENERGY STAR". Energystar.gov. 2009-01-27. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
16. ^ See www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.pt_neprs_learn and
www.energystar.gov/benchmark
17. ^ http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager
18. ^ "Criteria for Rating Building Energy Performance". Energystar.gov. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
19. ^

a b

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=business.bus_bldgs

20. ^ "Industries in Focus : ENERGY STAR". Energystar.gov. 2009-03-16. Retrieved 2009-03-23.

21. ^ http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/d9294d935bbeafa08525
77a500525a3b!OpenDocument
22. ^ Environmental News Service, Energy Star Climate Change Claims Misleading, Audit Finds, Washington,
D.C., 31 December 2008
23. ^ [1]
24. ^ "Energy stars may not be all they say they are". Housingzone.com. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
25. ^ Why Obamas Energy Savings Estimate May Be Skewed
26. ^ Hruska, Joel (2009-02-09). "Sony LCD exceeds Energy Star power draw 75% of time". Arstechnica.com.
Retrieved 2009-03-23.
27. ^ Hruska, Joel (2010-03-26). "Fake Products and Companies Certified by Energy Star". Popular Mechanics.
Retrieved 2010-03-26.

[edit]External

links