ENERGY STAR - News Room

ENERGY STAR Update Archives

Sat, 18 May 2013 08:42:21 -0400

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: ENERGY STAR Encourages Car Dealerships to Work with NADA on Survey

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In conjunction with ENERGY STAR and the EPA, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has launched a program to help new car and truck dealerships reduce energy consumption through the Agency’s ENERGY STAR program. MORE

All ENERGY STAR Systems Now Available

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On April 28, EPA's ENERGY STAR website experienced a cyber-attack that resulted in unauthorized access to ENERGY STAR servers. The website was immediately taken offline, and the Agency began working with authorities to investigate. All ENERGY STAR applications are now back online. We ask for your patience as we resume the processing of label applications, partnership applications, product certifications, etc. that were on hold during system down times. As we previously notified you, we want to take every precaution to ensure that your account is secure, so we have cancelled your old ENERGY STAR password and request that you create a new one. For your security, please create a new password by clicking the link below. CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD NOW If you encounter any difficulty in resetting your password, please contact the ENERGY STAR Hotline at hotline@energystar.gov or call 1-888-782-7937. Please be patient. The Hotline may have an increased workload as our users re-set their passwords. We apologize for any inconvenience this incident may have caused, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you.

ENERGY STAR Application Access Restored

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On April 28, EPA's ENERGY STAR website experienced a cyber-attack that resulted in unauthorized access to ENERGY STAR servers. The website was immediately taken offline, and the Agency began working with authorities to investigate. We are continuing to communicate with our stakeholders as we learn more about the incident. EPA is bringing the majority of ENERGY STAR applications back online this evening, May 6th. There will still be some functions that will be delayed until Friday, such as EPA's ability to approve label applications, partnership applications, product certifications, etc. Although your ENERGY STAR password would be difficult to decode, we want to take every precaution to ensure that your account is secure, so we have cancelled your old password and request that you create a new one as soon as the systems become available to you. ENERGY STAR Password Reset Instructions and FAQs

ENERGY STAR Security Notice

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On April 28, 2013, ENERGY STAR experienced a cyber-attack on our computer systems that resulted in unauthorized access to some data from our servers. The information accessed from applications such as Portfolio Manager, HOST and MESA may include energy data, names, email addresses, account details for some users, and encrypted passwords – technically ”hashed” passwords. We do not store passwords in plain text. We anticipate ENERGY STAR applications that require a login will be unavailable until the end of this week. (5/5/13) Although your ENERGY STAR password would be difficult to decode, we continue to take every precaution to ensure your account is secure. For this reason, we will expire your old password and request that you create a new one as soon as the systems become available to you. We are sorry this incident occurred, and we are committed to keeping you posted as we also continue to monitor and protect the integrity of your data. We will follow up with all account holders with more information and next steps.

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: ENERGY STAR Increases Energy Efficiency of Some of Most Commonly-Used Office Equipment

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its revision to the ENERGY STAR specification for imaging products. The revision raises the bar for the energy efficiency of some of the most common and frequently used equipment in offices and businesses. By updating the performance requirements for these products, the ENERGY STAR program continues to help American consumers and businesses prevent climate change by encouraging superior energy efficiency. MORE

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: ENERGY STAR Increases Energy Efficiency in Commercial Kitchens

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its revision to the ENERGY STAR specification for commercial ovens. The revision raises the bar for the energy efficiency of commercial ovens, and expands the scope of the specification to include a broader range of products. Updating the performance requirements for these products is part of the ENERGY STAR program’s overall commitment to help prevent climate change by encouraging superior energy efficiency. MORE

EPA Announces Winner of the ENERGY STAR National Building Competition

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

More than 3,000 buildings went head-to-head to see which one could reduce its energy use the most over the course of one year, and an elementary school in New Jersey emerged victorious. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Demarest Elementary School in Bloomfield, New Jersey, is the winner of EPA’s 2012 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. In its third year, the competition featured teams from across the country racing to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs and protect health and the environment. Demarest Elementary School won the competition by demonstrating the largest percent-reduction in energy use, adjusted for weather and the size of the building. Demarest Elementary School was able to reduce its energy use by 52 percent in one year. Together, competitors cut their energy costs by more than $50 million. EPA Press Release

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: Low Carbon IT Campaign Kicks Off 2013 with Organizations Pledging to Power Manage 360,000 Computers

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The ENERGY STAR Low Carbon IT (LCIT) Campaign, a nationwide effort to assist and recognize organizations for reducing the energy consumed by their IT equipment, had a strong start to 2013, with 38 organizations pledging to power manage 360,000 computers in January 2013. Saving up to $50 per desktop annually, computer power management automatically places computers into a low-power “sleep” mode after a period of inactivity. MORE

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Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

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ENERGY STAR UPDATE: Celebrate Earth Day with ENERGY STAR LED Light Bulbs

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

This Earth Day, EPA is challenging U.S. retailers, with the help of manufacturers and utilities, to sell 20 million ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs by Earth Day 2014. The latest in energy efficient lighting technology, LED bulbs now look and light more like traditional bulbs but can last 25 times longer. No matter the technology, bulbs with the ENERGY STAR label meet strict guidelines for efficiency and performance that set them apart. MORE

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: EPA Announces Updated Home Energy Yardstick for Assessing Home Energy Use

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

American homeowners can see how their home energy use measures up by using EPA’s free online energy assessment tool called the Home Energy Yardstick. The Yardstick is a simple performance-based tool that compares a home’s annual energy use to other similar homes. MORE

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR Kicks Off with Announcement of Top Pledge Drivers

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Earth Day is right around the corner and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is celebrating this important holiday by once again by announcing our top pledge drivers and inviting you to join all of us in changing the world with ENERGY STAR. Congratulations to: Georgia Power Company, Girl Scouts of the USA, Samsung Electronics, Nissan North America, and Ameren Illinois. MORE

Earth Day Events in Washington, DC and Beyond

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Earth Day on the National Mall April 18-19, 2013. National Sustainable Design Expo. National Mall, Washington DC. College students compete their green innovations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency P3 Award. Nonprofits and government agencies showcase their efforts for promoting a sustainable planet. Stop by the Change the World. Start with ENERGY STAR booth and join the movement to save energy and protect our climate. Earth Day 2013 Events: Conversations on Climate Change EPA has teamed up with other federal agencies to offer exciting activities to celebrate Earth Day 2013 at Federal Triangle and Potomac Yard in metropolitan Washington,DC. See event poster Earth Month at Union Station April 1-30, 2013. This year, a month-long celebration will feature interactive, eco-friendly exhibits and activities to raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage sustainability. On April 22, there will be a full day of entertainment, discussion panels, contests, games, giveaways and much more. EPA Twitter Chats Discussion about environmental topics, Monday April 8, 15, and 22. Check out other Earth Day activities or events in your area and around the country: § EPA's Earth Day "Take Home Kit" will help you to talk to your family, your co-workers and neighbors about ways they can join you in celebrating Earth Day § Events and activities from earthday.org

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Available!

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Saving energy helps prevent climate change, but it will also help you save money, especially around tax time. Upgrade your equipment to ENERGY STAR models anytime this year and get credit on next year’s tax return. MORE

Join us on Twitter LIVE from ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards tonight at 5:00 PM EDT. Hashtag #ENERGYSTARPOY

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Join us on Twitter as we live tweet during the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards ceremony tonight at 5:00 PM EDT. We'll chat with award winners and keep you posted on all the action! Hashtag #ENERGYSTARPOY to join the conversation. Check out the full list of award winners

EPA and DOE Recognize 2013 ENERGY STAR Partners of the Year

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are recognizing 118 awardees for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment. Recipients of the 2013 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award include Sears Holdings Corporation, PepsiCo, JC Penney, Food Lion, USAA Real Estate, Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, and Toyota. List of Winners EPA Press Release

EPA Announces Cities in the US with the Most ENERGY STAR Buildings

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, Atlanta rank in top five The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings in 2012, highlighting how owners and managers of commercial buildings across the country are taking action on climate change while delivering real financial savings to the bottom line. EPA Press Release List of 2012 Top Cities (pdf) List of 2012 ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings in Top Cities (xls) Data Trends: Insights into ENERGY STAR Certifiation

Register Now! March 18 Deadline for ENERGY STAR Awards Ceremony

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: Pool Pumps Earn ENERGY STAR Certification

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On February 15, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its first ENERGY STAR specification for pool pumps. Expanding into this new product category is part of the ENERGY STAR program’s overall commitment to help prevent climate change by encouraging superior energy efficiency. MORE

EPA Recognizes Medical Centers and Universities for Emissions Reductions and Energy Savings

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized five facilities with the ENERGY STAR Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Award for their efforts to reduce emissions that threaten public health while increasing energy reliability and efficiency. “Our ENERGY STAR CHP award winners are better serving their students and patients while safeguarding the environment,” said Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. EPA Press Release

ENERGY STAR UPDATE: 2012 ENERGY STAR Leaders Recognized

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0400

EPA Sees 30 Percent Growth in Number of Organizations Reducing Carbon Emissions Portfolio-Wide. As of the end of 2012, more than 270 organizations have been recognized as ENERGY STAR Leaders by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Since the program began in 2004, ENERGY STAR Leaders have cumulatively saved more than $150 million on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the annual electricity use of nearly 130,000 homes. MORE

2013 ENERGY STAR Awards Registration Now Open

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0400

2011 Annual Report Now Available

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0400

ENERGY STAR PARTNER UPDATE: Midpoint Standings in 2012 ENERGY STAR Battle of the Buildings Posted

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400

At the half-way point of the 2012 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings, EPA held a midpoint weigh-in of all 3,200 competitors. The results? In the first six months of the competition, participants are posting big savings. Now entering the final stretch of the competition, building teams are pulling out all the stops to save event more energy and money, and protect the environment. MORE

2013 ENERGY STAR Award Applications Now Being Accepted!

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400

All organizations participating in the ENERGY STAR program are encouraged to apply for a 2013 ENERGY STAR Award. The completed online application package must be submitted by 8 pm EST, November 28, 2012. Submit award application

Celebrate ENERGY STAR Day!

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Americans can participate in local events to learn more about energy efficiency. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced ENERGY STAR Day, a first-ever nationwide celebration of energy efficiency accomplishments in honor of the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program. ENERGY STAR Day is being celebrated with events around the country between now and October 24. MORE

Save the Date: 2013 ENERGY STAR Awards Ceremony

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

What: 2013 ENERGY STAR Awards Ceremony Date: March 26, 2013 Location: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel 2660 Woodley Road, NW Washington, DC 20008 1-202-328-2000

ENERGY STAR Buildings Partner Meeting to be Held 10/10/12 in Washington, DC

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The first-ever ENERGY STAR Buildings Partner Meeting will be held October 10–11, 2012, at The Liaison Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The meeting will feature interactive sessions with leading ENERGY STAR partners who will share their proven best practices, as well as innovations in managing the energy use of their buildings. Jim Gibbons, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, and Jim Schlachter, Superintendent of Gresham-Barlow School District, will keynote. Download the agenda and register at https://buildingsmeeting.cadmusweb.com/

2013 ENERGY STAR Award Applications Now Available

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

All organizations participating in the ENERGY STAR program are encouraged to apply for a 2013 ENERGY STAR Award. The online application package must be submitted by 8 pm EST, November 28, 2012. Get award application

EPA Kicks Off Third Annual ENERGY STAR National Building Competition

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

On July 25th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program launched the 2012 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings with a record 3,200 buildings across the country going head to head to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs and protect health and the environment. EPA Press Release See the list of competitors, social media updates, interactive map of buildings and photos of the competition at http://www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings .

EPA Honors the Best Energy-Efficient Building Designs

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

On May 18 at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Convention in Washington, DC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized nearly 100 commercial building design projects submitted by 43 architecture firms that achieved Designed to Earn the Energy Star certification in the past year. Together, these projects which incorporate energy efficiency into their plans are estimated to prevent nearly 175,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and save more than $23 million in annual energy costs across 10 million square feet of commercial space. EPA Press Release More on The ENERGY STAR Challenge: Race to DC

EPA Releases List of Cities with the Most ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

EPA released the annual list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings for 2011. The list of 25 cities is headed by Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Houston, Dallas, Riverside, Calif. and Boston. By the end of 2011, the nearly 16,500 ENERGY STAR certified buildings across America have helped save nearly $2.3 billion in annual utility bills and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to emissions from the annual energy use of more than 1.5 million homes. EPA Press Release List of Top 25 Cities with Most ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings in 2011 List of ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings 2011 Only More about earning the ENERGY STAR for commercial buildings: http://energystar.gov/labeledbuildings

EPA Celebrates 20th Anniversary of ENERGY STAR

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

EPA is kicking off the celebration of ENERGY STAR's 20th anniversary by recognizing the 2012 ENERGY STAR award winners for their outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting America’s environment through superior energy efficiency. Over the past 20 years, with help from ENERGY STAR partners, American families and businesses have saved about $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon pollution. EPA Press Release Complete list of 2012 award winners More information on ENERGY STAR 20th Anniversary: www.energystar.gov/20th

Public Awareness of ENERGY STAR Remains Strong

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Public awareness of the ENERGY STAR label exceeded 80% in 2011, and 44% of U.S. households report purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified product. As the ENERGY STAR program enters its 20th year, the label remains well poised to influence future consumer decisionmaking. The majority of purchasers report they are likely to recommend ENERGY STAR products to others--32% of them are "extremely likely" to do so. This finding and others are highlighted in a new report, “National Awareness of ENERGY STAR for 2011," which presents an analysis of a survey commissioned by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.

ENERGY STAR Awards Ceremony - Mar 15, 2012

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Nearly Half of ENERGY STAR Leaders Meet President's 20% Energy Efficiency Improvement Goal

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0400

New findings by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveal that nearly half of the more than 200 organizations that have earned recognition as ENERGY STAR Leaders have improved the energy efficiency of their entire building portfolios by 20% or more. Last year, President Obama announced a nationwide call to action to make commercial buildings 20% more energy efficient by 2020. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program provides a strategic pathway toward superior energy efficiency, including a focus on ongoing performance measurement and whole-building improvement, that has helped these leading organizations achieve the President’s goal. EPA Press Release Complete list of ENERGY STAR Leaders as of December 31, 2011 More about ENERGY STAR Leaders: http://www.energystar.gov/leaders

Gifts that Keep on Giving and Energy Saving Actions for the Holiday Season

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

EPA’s ENERGY STAR is offering simple holiday gift ideas to help friends and family give back to the environment this season and throughout the new year. ENERGY STAR, Design for the Environment, and WaterSense labels can be found on thousands of products across the country, making it easy to choose the perfect gift for anyone on your list. By using these products combined with environmental actions this holiday season, consumers can cut both their energy bill and their emissions, helping to better protect their wallet and the environment. EPA Press Release More: www.energystar.gov/holiday

Leading National Home Builders Commit to EPA's Aggressive New Requirements

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

EPA is recognizing the leading builders across the nation who have committed to building homes that will meet the new and more rigorous ENERGY STAR requirements for qualified homes in 2012. By building the next generation of ENERGY STAR qualified homes, these builders will offer their homebuyers a comprehensive package of features that deliver better value, quality, comfort, and the promise of a better environment for tomorrow. To-date, more than 400 builders have made a commitment building ENERGY STAR qualified homes in 2012, led by six of the country’s largest builders who have committed a majority of their divisions nationwide. These builders include Ashton Woods Homes, Beazer Homes, KB Home, Meritage Homes, M/I Homes, and NVR, Inc. EPA Press Release List of Builders who have Committed to the aggressive new requirements: www.energystar.gov/v3builders More about ENERGY STAR certified new homes: www.energystar.gov/newhomes

EPA and Canada Team Up to Drive Energy Savings in Commercial Buildings

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

EPA and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) have signed an agreement that will create a common platform for measuring and assessing the energy performance of commercial buildings in both countries. The new agreement will harmonize the approach of the two countries by expanding EPA’s existing national energy performance scale methodology as well as EPA’s software tool, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, to include capabilities for tracking and evaluating the energy performance of Canadian commercial buildings, in addition to buildings in the US. EPA’s ENERGY STAR tools have served the U.S. commercial marketplace for over a decade, and this expansion will help businesses that own and manage properties in Canada identify opportunities to save money, improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EPA Press Release More information on the ENERGY STAR national performance scale and Portfolio Manager: http://www.energystar.gov/buildings

EPA Updates ENERGY STAR Tool to Support Greater Energy Efficiency in Hospitals

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Healthcare organizations spend $7.4 billion in energy costs each year. To improve energy efficiency, thousands of hospitals rely on the EPA’s ENERGY STAR tools to help track consumption and prioritize facilities for energy upgrades. Today, EPA released an important update to ENERGY STAR's national energy performance scale methodology for hospitals. The updated performance scale will help hospitals better assess their energy performance and make more informed financial and investment decisions in order to cut costs and improve their energy efficiency. Improving the energy efficiency of America’s hospitals by 10% would save 7.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, 243 million therms of natural gas each year, and about $740 million annually in energy bills. It would also prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to that from the annual electricity use of over 712,000 homes. EPA Press Release More: http://www.energystar.gov/healthcare

University of Central Florida Wins EPA's 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

EPA announced that a parking garage on the main campus of the University of Central Florida (UCF) is the winner of EPA’s 2011 Energy Star National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. In its second year, the ”Biggest Loser”-style competition featured teams from 245 buildings across the country in a head-to-head battle to save energy, reduce costs, and protect Americans’ health and their environment. In addition to cutting their energy use by 63%, UCF reduced their lighting bill for the parking garage by more than half due to improvements made during the competition. From improvements in operations and maintenance to upgrades in equipment and technology, the competitors together saved more than 240 million kBtus of energy and $5.2 million on utility bills annually. EPA Press Release More information: http://www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings

Winter Heating Tips to Save Energy and Money

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

U.S. homeowners are preparing for winter and looking for ways to heat their homes while reducing their energy bills to save money. The average family spends $2,200 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. In addition to saving money, reducing energy use at home can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help fight climate change. Save energy and money with these tips from ENERGY STAR: www.energystar.gov/heatingtips EPA Press Release

EPA's Market Share for ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Reaches 25%

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

EPA announced that 25% of all single-family homes built nationally in 2010 earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR, up from 21% in 2009. In partnership with its stakeholders, EPA continues to help American home buyers invest in high performing homes that save money on their utility bills and help protect the environment. Since 1995 approximately 1.2 million new homes have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR, representing savings of nearly $350 million on utility bills while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from more than 450,000 vehicles. EPA Press Release More information on ENERGY STAR’s qualified home market share: http://www.energystar.gov/homesmarketindex

ENERGY STAR Now Available for New Multifamily High-Rise Buildings

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

EPA announced that new multifamily high-rise residential buildings are now eligible to qualify as ENERGY STAR. Expanding the ENERGY STAR eligibility to such properties will not only help EPA strengthen energy-efficiency initiatives, across the nation, which save money and help protect the environment, but also provide property owners the opportunity to increase the asset value and offer tenants comfortable homes. EPA Press Release More information on ENERGY STAR qualified multifamily high rise buildings: http://www.energystar.gov/mfhr

EPA Announces List of Top Contenders in ENERGY STAR National Building Competition

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

EPA’s ENERGY STAR program marked the midpoint of the 2011 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings by releasing a list of Top Contenders for each building category, as well as the progress of all participants in the competition. Teams from 245 buildings around the country are going head-to-head to see who can reduce their energy use the most. In the first six months of the competition alone, the competitors have saved more than $3.7 million on utility bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity used by 2,300 homes annually. Through energy efficiency improvements, the competitors are helping to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. EPA Press Release List of Top Contenders and more information on the competition: http://www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings

EPA Announces New ENERGY STAR Requirements for Dishwashers and Furnaces

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

EPA is updating ENERGY STAR requirements for dishwashers and furnaces. Effective January 20, 2012, both standard-sized and compact residential dishwashers meeting the new ENERGY STAR requirements will be between 10 and 30% more energy efficient than conventional models, and about 8% more efficient than dishwashers that met the previous ENERGY STAR requirement. Distributors, contractors and consumers will also be able to identify and purchase ENERGY STAR qualified furnaces that are appropriate to their particular climate zone beginning February 1, 2012. The furnaces that meet the new requirements for the southern half of the U.S. will be labeled with a specific U.S. South ENERGY STAR mark. The qualified furnaces in the South, where homes require less heat, will be up to 12% more energy efficient than baseline units. Qualified furnaces in the northern half of the U.S. including Canada will bear the standard ENERGY STAR logo and will be up to 16% more energy efficient than baseline models. EPA Press Release More information on ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers More information on ENERGY STAR qualified furnaces

Leading-Edge Products for Energy Efficiency Recognized for First Time by New ENERGY STAR Effort

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

For the first time products can be recognized as the most energy efficient in their category among those that have earned the ENERGY STAR label. The new designation of “Most Efficient” will inform shoppers about exceptional energy performance and provide incentives for all manufacturers to strive for improvements. The Most Efficient recognition is being made in the following categories: clothes washers, heating and cooling equipment, televisions, and refrigerator-freezers. The following ENERGY STAR partners’ products are among the first to be recognized as Most Efficient: Electrolux/Frigidaire, Sears’ Kenmore, LG, Samsung, Best Buy’s Insignia Brand, Panasonic and Rheem. EPA Press Release More information on Energy Star’s Most Efficient products: www.energystar.gov/mostefficient

City of Houston Wins Mayors' Climate Protection Award

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

City of Houston’s Mayor has received the 2011 U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Award for the city's work in implementing the Houston Green Office Challenge, which relies heavily on ENERGY STAR tools and resources. Participants measure and track their building’s monthly energy use with EPA’s online tool, Portfolio Manager, and participate in monthly EPA training sessions on improving energy performance in buildings. More than 330 organizations participate in the Challenge, including city-owned buildings. EPA Press Release ENERGY STAR Buildings and Plants

ENERGY STAR Program Helps Cement Industry Improve Energy Efficiency, Shift Performance Curve

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A new report by researchers at Duke University affirms that the ENERGY STAR program has helped improve the energy efficiency of the cement manufacturing industry, which has cut its energy intensity by 13% over a decade. This improvement is equivalent to a total source energy use reduction of over 60 trillion Btu and an annual emissions reduction of almost 1.5 million metric tons of energy-related carbon, according to the report. Cement manufacturing is very energy intensive, and the improvements represent a substantial shift in the industry’s energy efficiency curve. The report, Measuring Improvement in the Energy Performance of the U.S. Cement Industry, validates EPA’s energy management strategy, particularly the importance of performance measurement and recognition for top performance. The report also demonstrates that the gap between top performing cement manufacturing plants and others has closed and the performance of the industry as a whole has improved. EPA statement about the report (97KB) Measuring Improvement in the Energy Performance of the U.S. Cement Industry More information about EPA's work with the cement industry