About ENERGY STAR for Products

ENERGY STAR is the simple choice for energy efficiency, making it easy for consumers and businesses to purchase products that save them money and protect the environment. EPA ensures that each product that earns the label is independently certified to deliver the quality, performance, and savings that consumers have come to expect. It’s that integrity that led Americans to purchase more than 300 million ENERGY STAR certified products in 2016, with a market value of more than $100 billion. In fact, an average of 800,000 ENERGY STAR certified products were sold every day in 2016, bringing the total to more than 5.8 billion products sold since 1992.

The power of partnership

Consumers, utilities, and retailers all depend on the ENERGY STAR program to highlight products that deliver real consumer savings and give partners the tools they need to differentiate their efficient products.  In 2017, more than 2000 manufacturers and 2000 retailers partnered with ENERGY STAR to make and sell millions of ENERGY STAR certified products across more than 75 residential and commercial product categories. Utilities and retailers also teamed up with ENERGY STAR to coordinate on consumer education, leveraging ENERGY STAR materials to provide consistent information to consumers, including a focused effort in 2017 to raise awareness about more efficient refrigerators, air conditioners, laundry equipment, pool pumps, water heaters, smart thermostats and light bulbs.

Evolving with the market

As technology improves and industries change, ENERGY STAR evolves with the market to deliver continued savings. For example, in 2017, EPA updated performance requirements for five product categories including commercial ice machines, clothes washers, ceiling fans, uninterruptible power supplies and commercial water heaters. Nineteen additions and revisions to the product categories are currently underway. In 2017, more than 2,200 product models from more than 140 manufacturers were recognized as “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient,” a distinction that recognizes products that deliver cutting-edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation. Dehumidifiers were added to the product categories eligible for recognition.

Ensuring program integrity

In 2017, EPA oversaw robust third-party certification of ENERGY STAR products, administered by 23 independent certification bodies and more than 600 labs. EPA also requires that a sample of products be tested directly off retailers’ shelves. In 2017, EPA-recognized certification bodies administered post-market verification testing on more than 1,700 products, resulting in 115 unique disqualifications for a compliance rate of 93%, affirming consumer confidence in the label. In fact, 80 percent of purchasers would recommend ENERGY STAR products to a friend.  Learn more at energystar.gov/integrity.

Program savings

ENERGY STAR certified products helped consumers save $20 billion in energy costs in 2016, contributing to cumulative energy cost savings of over $280 billion since 1992.

Spotlight on:  enhanced oversight of CFLs pays off

Five years ago, EPA began sending letters to CFL original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) containing their ENERGY STAR verification testing performance for the year, compared to average. The letters ensured that poor performing OEMs that supplied products associated with the ENERGY STAR label were aware of their performance issues.

At the same time, EPA encouraged CFL private labelers to review their OEM’s performance and institute improved quality control as warranted. Companies offering CFLs that failed verification testing were subject to heightened control measures if the OEM of the failed model was among those with poor performance records.

In response to this market pressure, overall disqualification rates decreased by nearly half. Four out of five of the worst-performing OEMs exited the ENERGY STAR market. Given the success of these efforts in reducing the rate of product disqualification, EPA is continuing this approach for ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs.

For additional details about ENERGY STAR achievements see energystar.gov/numbers