Our History

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the ENERGY STAR program in 1992, at a time when both business leaders and environmentalists recognized that economic growth and environmental protection can—and must—go hand-in-hand. It was a radical idea at the time, but within a year, the success of this pioneering program proved that if the government empowered businesses to protect the environment at a profit, it would find a powerful partner in the fight against climate change.

Since then, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has grown to encompass tens of thousands of organizations, utilities, and state and local governments who have partnered with the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With their help, EPA works to identify and dismantle the unique market barriers that prevent progress, and to provide the information and stability that private markets need to thrive. The environmental impacts are staggering, and a testament to the power of partnership: The avoidance of billions of metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, billions of dollars of private sector investment, and millions of high-paying, fast-growing jobs.

Scroll through the timeline below to learn more about the history of EPA’s ENERGY STAR program.

2022

• EPA celebrated the 30th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program with "Certification Nation," a special one-time recognition to organizations who certified five or more buildings or plants in 2022
• More than 40,000 commercial buildings and industrial plants have earned ENERGY STAR certification to date
• Recognized both Adaptive Commercial Refrigeration Equipment and Residential Induction Cooking Tops with the ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Award
• Launched the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade to promote a carefully crafted set of six high-impact, efficient electric home improvements
• Finalized the first program requirements for ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments
• Launched a new ENERGY STAR industrial focus for the chlor alkali industry
• Launched 1 - 100 ENERGY STAR score for existing single-family homes in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
• Continued to advance ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program requirements for single-family (Version 3.2), multifamily (Version 1.2), and manufactured (Version 3) homes
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for six categories effective this year, including televisions, residential water heaters, water coolers, commercial refrigeration, small network equipment (sunset), and roofs (sunset)

2021

• EPA celebrated the 30th anniversary of its climate partnership programs
• Celebrated the ten-year anniversary of ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry. Participating manufacturers have achieved 17 million metric tons of greenhouse emissions reductions since ENERGY STAR first offered the challenge
• Residential induction cooktops receive ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Award
• First smart home energy management system earns ENERGY STAR certification
• Home Performance with ENERGY STAR surpassed 1 million retrofitted homes since the program began
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for three categories effective this year, including data center storage, commercial dishwashers and pool pumps

2020

• Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its thousands of partners helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs, and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions
• ENERGY STAR and its partners helped Americans save over 500 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in one year, for the first time ever
• ENERGY STAR annual savings resulted in over 400 million in greenhouse gas reductions for the first time
• Over the lifetime of the program, every dollar EPA has spent on ENERGY STAR resulted in nearly $350 in energy cost savings for American business and households
• Developed new ENERGY STAR program requirements (PDF, 139 KB) specifically designed for single-family and multifamily homes built in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
• More than 3,000 builders, developers, and manufactured housing plants are ENERGY STAR partners, including all of the nation’s twenty largest homebuilders
• Launched a new electric vehicle purchasing resource featuring ENERGY STAR certified chargers
• Refrigerators with advanced adaptive compressors receive ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Award
• About 75,000 product models have earned the ENERGY STAR
• Launched ENERGY STAR Tenant Space
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for four categories effective this year, including air cleaners, computers, displays and vending machines

2019

• ENERGY STAR helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity and avoid 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions over the life of the program. In 2019 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped Americans save nearly 500 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity
• Over the lifetime of the ENERGY STAR Program, private investment leveraged by ENERGY STAR totals to roughly $300 billion
• Air pollution avoided by ENERGY STAR was responsible for an estimated $7 – 17 billion in public health benefits
• For the first time, a majority of American households surveyed reported purchasing an ENERGY STAR certified product. Over the life of the program, Americans have purchased more than 7 billion products
• More than 2 million ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments built in the U.S. to date
• ENERGY STAR LEDs come down in price to $1 per bulb in some stores
• ENERGY STAR certified storm windows available in stores for the first time
• ENERGY STAR certified the first fluid milk and yogurt processing plant in the U.S.
• Released the first ENERGY STAR energy performance indicator (EPI) for fertilizer manufacturing
• Released the 3^rd update of the Cement EPI and the 2^nd EPI update for frozen fried potato processing plants and cookie and cracker bakeries
• Launched the ENERGY STAR Treasure Hunt campaign with 142 industrial sites and commercial buildings, uncovering $38 million in savings
• Launched a new ENERGY STAR industrial focus for the distilled spirits sector
• New ENERGY STAR product category introduced this year for Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMS)
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for six categories effective this year, including uninterruptible power supplies, televisions, pool pumps, servers, imaging equipment, and dehumidifiers

2018

• Americans purchased more than 6 billion ENERGY STAR certified products since 1992
• Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses save more than 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity
• Over 200 American industrial plants have earned the ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance since 2006
• Updated ENERGY STAR Product Finder for refrigerators, room air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, and lighting
• Version 3.2 program requirements for ENERGY STAR certified homes introduced in California, Oregon, and Washington
• Released ENERGY STAR RaterPro, a tool to help energy rating companies collect field data during inspections required for ENERGY STAR certified homes
• The 1-100 ENERGY STAR Scores for offices, K-12 schools, retail stores and supermarkets, warehouses, hotel properties, and worship facilities performance metrics for the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager^® tool were updated were updated based on recent market data
• Storm windows became a new ENERGY STAR product category this year
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for six categories effective this year including computers, clothes washers, ceiling fans, and ice makers

2017

• ENERGY STAR^®'s 25-year anniversary
• More than 30,000 American commercial building properties certified as ENERGY STAR
• Release of ENERGY STAR Best Value Finder to help American families find the lowest prices on select ENERGY STAR certified products
• ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager^® tool adds 1-100 Water Score for multifamily properties to allow these properties to compare their water use against their peers
• Pilot ENERGY STAR Tenant Space recognition program begins
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for four product categories effective this year including roof products, light bulbs, and commercial refrigerators

2016

• More than 90% of American households recognize the ENERGY STAR label
• More than 40% of the Fortune 500 companies rely on their ENERGY STAR partnership with EPA to achieve financial and energy savings
• Nearly 90% of the nation’s top homebuilders build ENERGY STAR certified homes
• New waste and materials tracking feature for ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
• Utilities and retailers forge new collaboration with ENERGY STAR--the ENERGY STAR Retail Products Platform--to sell more ENERGY STAR certified products
• ENERGY STAR, in collaboration with retail, manufacturer, and utility partners, announce ENERGY STAR national call-to-action to change out 300 million light bulbs
• Seven new ENERGY STAR product categories introduced this year including electric vehicle chargers, coffee makers, and connected thermostats
• Update to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for six categories effective this year including computer displays, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and windows

2015

• 20th anniversary of ENERGY STAR Certified Homes program
• Americans purchased more than 300 million ENERGY STAR certified products, for a cumulative total exceeding 5.5 billion products (excluding purchases of light bulbs)
• Version 3.1 program requirements for ENERGY STAR certified homes begin to become effective in states adopting 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or equivalent
• ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager^® DataTrends available for 16 property types
• Congress directs EPA to develop a recognition program for energy efficient tenant spaces under the ENERGY STAR program
• Clothes dryers became a new ENERGY STAR product category this year
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for eight categories effective this year including TVs, clothes washers, room air conditioners, water coolers, and water heaters

2014

• Americans purchased more than 5 billion ENERGY STAR certified products since 1992
• More than 100,000 apartments in new low and high rise multifamily buildings earned the ENERGY STAR to-date
• First existing multifamily buildings earn ENERGY STAR certification
• EPA launches ENERGY STAR’s “Rule Your Attic!” campaign, encouraging homeowners to measure their attic insulation and improve their home’s energy efficiency
• More than 5,000 commercial building properties compete in the annual ENERGY STAR Battle of the Buildings
• 1-100 ENERGY STAR score for existing multifamily properties launch in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
• Over 20 million LED bulbs sold in ENERGY STAR challenge
• Release of a refreshed ENERGY STAR Home Advisor, providing homeowners with more customized recommendations for improving energy efficiency
• ENERGY STAR industrial partnership grows to 30 different industrial sectors, fostering collaboration and developing industry-specific tools and resources
• Federal agencies must use ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager^® to benchmark the energy use of their facilities (per Section 432 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007)
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for thirteen product categories effective this year including refrigerators, telephones, light bulbs, computers, and copiers

2013

• More than 1.5 million ENERGY STAR certified homes built in the U.S. to-date
• More than 20,000 American commercial building properties certified as ENERGY STAR
• EPA updates the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick tool, allowing homeowners to upload their utility bills using ‘Green Button’ functionality
• ENERGY STAR teams with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and launches program to help new car and truck dealerships reduce energy waste
• Four new ENERGY STAR product categories introduced this year including data centers and commercial water heaters
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for twelve categories effective this year including computer displays, room air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, home audio equipment, and decorative string lights

2012

• EPA celebrates the 20^th anniversary of ENERGY STAR
• Americans purchased more than 4 billion ENERGY STAR certified products since 1992
• Version 3.0 ENERGY STAR Certified Homes requirements become effective
• ENERGY STAR honors Best Energy-Efficient Building Designs at American Institute of Architects Convention
• 3,000 building participate in the 2012 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings
• ENERGY STAR Day, a first-ever nationwide celebration of energy efficiency accomplishments
• Uninterruptable power supplies became a new ENERGY STAR product category this year
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for five categories effective this year including dehumidifiers, dishwashers, and furnaces

2011

• Over 100 American industrial plants have received ENERGY STAR certification to date
• Third-party certification program begins for more than 60 ENERGY STAR product categories
• First ever ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Award given for micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems
• ENERGY STAR industrial certification to first container glass plants and to the first cookie and cracker bakeries
• ENERGY STAR label now available for newly constructed multifamily high-rise buildings
• EPA launches ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Awards with Micro Combined Heat and Power Systems
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for eleven categories effective this year including TVs, light bulbs, clothes washers, ceiling fans, certain commercial HVAC, and commercial fryers

2010

• More than 80% of American households recognize the ENERGY STAR label
• More than 10,000 American commercial building properties certified as ENERGY STAR
• The first food processing plants earn ENERGY STAR
• To protect program integrity, ENERGY STAR requires lab report from manufacturers when submitting products for ENERGY STAR certification
• Launch of ENERGY STAR National Building Competition
• Launch of 1-100 ENERGY STAR Score for Data Centers in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to assist data center operators in assessing their energy performance and reducing energy use
• ENERGY STAR industrial partnership grows to twenty different industrial sectors and subsectors, fostering collaboration and developing industry-specific tools and resources
• ENERGY STAR no longer available for external power adapters after market conversion to energy efficient adapters
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for eleven categories effective this year including computer displays, light bulbs, air conditioners, certain commercial HVAC, home audio equipment, windows and water coolers

2009

• Americans purchased about 3 billion ENERGY STAR qualified products since 1992
• The number of ENERGY STAR certified homes built in the U.S. to-date surpasses 1 million
• Over 50 American industrial facilities have received ENERGY STAR certification to date
• First five pharmaceutical plants achieve ENERGY STAR certification
• ENERGY STAR releases ENERGY STAR Top Cities, the first-ever ranking of U.S. cities based on the most ENERGY STAR buildings
• Four new ENERGY STAR product categories effective this year including coffee makers, griddles, and water heaters
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for fifteen categories effective this year including computers, computer displays, copiers, clothes washers, dishwashers, ceiling fans, furnaces, home audio equipment, and roof products

2008

• Launch of national ENERGY STAR campaign for consumers
• More than 5,000 American commercial building properties certified as ENERGY STAR
• ENERGY STAR industrial partnership grows to over 15 different industrial sectors and subsectors, fostering collaboration and developing industry-specific tools and resources
• Ice makers became a new ENERGY STAR product category 
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for ten categories effective this year including TVs, telephones, light bulbs, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators

2007

• ENERGY STAR’S 15-year anniversary
• More than 70% of American households recognize the ENERGY STAR label
• ENERGY STAR qualified CFL sales for 2007 nearly double, reaching 20% market share
• Version 2 requirements for homes to earn the ENERGY STAR become effective
• Eighth annual ENERGY STAR Change a Light campaign launches its first national bus tour
• ENERGY STAR label extends to the first retail buildings
• Three new ENERGY STAR product categories introduced including commercial dishwashers and decorative light strings
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for seven categories effective this year including computers, copiers, clothes washers, vending machines, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, and roof products

2006

• Launch of ENERGY STAR @ Home interactive tool as part of the annual summer "Cool Your World" campaign
• Release of ENERGY STAR energy performance indicators for cement producers and corn refiners
• First industrial plants received ENERGY STAR certification
• Battery charging systems became a new ENERGY STAR product category 
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for seven categories effective this year including telephones, computer displays, vending machines, dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, and furnaces

2005

• Americans purchased more than 2 billion ENERGY STAR qualified products since 1992
• More than 500,000 ENERGY STAR certified homes built in the U.S. to-date
• ENERGY STAR Industrial Focus on energy efficiency in cement
• ENERGY STAR performance indicator for auto assembly plants
• Fourteen state and local partners participating in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
• ENERGY STAR Home Advisor online tool launched to provide homeowners with home energy efficiency recommendations
• Half of states plus DC join EPA’s ENERGY STAR Challenge to address energy issues
• Congress enacts Energy Policy Act that directed EPA and the Department of Energy to implement program to identify and promote energy–efficient products and buildings to reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce pollution through labeling or other communication and promote ENERGY STAR
• External power adaptors became a new ENERGY STAR product category 
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for four categories effective this year including TVs, computer displays, and room air conditioners

2004

• More than 60% of American households recognized the ENERGY STAR label
• EPA expands ENERGY STAR to commercial new construction with the "Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR" label
• ENERGY STAR label extends to medical centers and university residence halls
• Room air cleaners and vending machines became new ENERGY STAR product categories
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for six categories effective this year including telephones, dishwashers, water coolers and exit signs

2003

• ENERGY STAR, through its work with the U.S. auto manufacturing industry, provided first plant energy performance indicator for this industry
• Three new ENERGY STAR product categories introduced including fryers and steam cookers
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for ten categories effective this year including TVs, light bulbs, telephones, clothes washers, room air conditioners, ceiling fans, traffic signals, and roof products

2002

• ENERGY STAR’S 10-year anniversary
• Americans purchased more than one billion ENERGY STAR qualified products since 1992
• More than 100,000 ENERGY STAR certified homes built in the U.S. to-date
• More than 1,000 American commercial building properties certified as ENERGY STAR
• ENERGY STAR label extends to the most energy efficient hotels
• First ENERGY STAR Cool Change campaign
• First annual ENERGY STAR Home Electronics Holiday Campaign
• Telephones and certain commercial HVAC systems became new ENERGY STAR product categories
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for three categories effective this year including TVs

2001

• Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, a whole-house retrofit program, is launched 
• ENERGY STAR label extends to the most energy efficient grocery stores
• U.S. and Canada announce agreement to partner on ENERGY STAR
• ENERGY STAR label extends to the most energy efficient acute care hospitals
• EPA launches ENERGY STAR industrial focus for the motor vehicle manufacturing sector
• Five new ENERGY STAR product categories effective this year including dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, and set-top boxes
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for five categories effective this year including light bulbs, room air conditioners, and roof products

2000

• ENERGY STAR label extends to the most energy efficient schools
• US Army and Navy housing procurement specifications require ENERGY STAR certification (link to Technical page)
• First annual ENERGY STAR Change a Light fall lighting promotion
• Release of ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, an energy tracking and management tool for buildings
• The European Union adopts the ENERGY STAR program
• Traffic signals and water coolers became new ENERGY STAR product categories
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for two categories effective this year including computers

1999

• Release of first ENERGY STAR rating for office buildings
• First ENERGY STAR label award to a commercial office building
• ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) added
• Home audio/stereo equipment became a new ENERGY STAR product category this year
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for five categories effective this year including computers, computer displays, and copiers

1998

• TVs, VCRs, windows, doors, skylights, and roof products became new ENERGY STAR product categories
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements effective this year for computer displays and boilers

1997

• ENERGY STAR for homes expands to include manufactured and factory-built homes
• Four new ENERGY STAR product categories introduced including clothes washers and light fixtures
• An update to the ENERGY STAR product requirements effective this year for copiers

1996

• EPA and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announce their ENERGY STAR partnership
• Several national lenders offer ENERGY STAR mortgages to promote the purchase of certified new homes
• Dishwashers, refrigerators/freezers, exit signs, room air conditioners, and boilers became new ENERGY STAR product categories

1995

• Green Lights program merges with ENERGY STAR Buildings, a program designed to help businesses simultaneously improve their energy and financial performance
• ENERGY STAR for homes is launched to help homebuyers identify energy efficient new homes in the marketplace
• Four new ENERGY STAR product categories introduced including copiers, heat pumps, and furnaces
• Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for three categories effective this year including computer displays and printers

1994

• More than  2,000 ENERGY STAR qualified product models (PDF, 3.1 MB)  available for sale

1993

• Executive Order encouraging federal agencies to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified computers, monitors, and printers
• EPA pilots the ENERGY STAR Buildings program with 23 building owners to showcase an ENERGY STAR approach
• Printers and fax machines became new ENERGY STAR product categories

1992

• EPA launch of the ENERGY STAR label for office products starting with computers and displays

1991

• EPA introduces Green Lights program, a partnership to promote efficient lighting systems in commercial and industrial buildings (later integrated into ENERGY STAR)

NOTE: Dollar figures are valued in the year for which they were originally reported.