Writing About ENERGY STAR

Description of ENERGY STAR on a page

Terminology 

When writing about ENERGY STAR, use the following language: 

  • ENERGY STAR certification

    • Correct:
      • ENERGY STAR certified _____.
      • _____ has earned the ENERGY STAR.
      • _____ has earned ENERGY STAR certification.
      • _____ has earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR. 
      • _____ has earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification.
      • _____ has earned the ENERGY STAR from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.     
    • Incorrect:
      • ENERGY STAR ______ (E.g., “ENERGY STAR computer”).
      • ENERGY STAR rated/labeled/compliant _______.
      • _______ has earned an ENERGY STAR rating.
      • _______ is EPA approved/endorsed.
      • _______ was constructed to meet ENERGY STAR requirements.
      • _______ was designed to be ENERGY STAR labeled/compliant.
      • _______ has met ENERGY STAR standards.
      • _______ won the ENERGY STAR label.

  • Partnership

    • Correct:
      • [Company] is an ENERGY STAR partner.
      • [Company] has partnered with the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program.
    • Incorrect:
      • An ENERGY STAR company.
      • [Company] is endorsed by the EPA.
      • An EPA-approved seller of ENERGY STAR equipment.

  • The ENERGY STAR certification process:

    • Correct:
      • ENERGY STAR certified products are third-party certified by an EPA-recognized Certification Body.
      • ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments are independently verified to meet strict energy efficiency requirements established by EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program.
      • ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants are verified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to have earned a score of 75 or higher on the EPA’s 1-100 energy performance scale.

Laboratories and Certification Bodies

Laboratories, certification, and accreditation bodies may not use any ENERGY STAR marks. However, they may use one of the approved sentences below:

  • “[Organization] is recognized by the EPA to test [product] for the ENERGY STAR program.”
  • “[Organization] is recognized by the EPA to accredit laboratories for the testing of [product] for the ENERGY STAR program.”
  • “[Organization] is recognized by the EPA to certify [product] for the ENERGY STAR program.”