# Energy Star Certified: A Green Solution for a Sustainable Future - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/11/energy-star-certified-a-green-solution-for-a-sustainable-future/ - Published: 2019-11-06T01:22:05-05:00 - Author: greenguruguides A new Congress begins every year but Energy Star certified keeps going.  Yet early indications suggested back in 2009 that may have yielded the most dramatic policy response to climate change  in U.S. history. The challenge of passing domestic climate legislation before U.S. negotiators participated in global climate talks in Copenhagen, Denmark. In December it remained difficult. Economic recession, a health care overhaul, and two foreign wars will compete with climate change for political attention. ### Energy Star Fortunately, when it comes to Energy Star certified products and new appliance standards we are good. I mean for [equipment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/avoid-the-chill-this-winter-and-protect-the-climate-with-energy-star/) and [lighting](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/states-step-up-on-appliance-standards-as-the-federal-government-goes-backwards/) efficiency standards we good. Let’s get more [LED bulbs](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/why-led-bulbs-rock/). Furthermore, I mean Its gaining new momentum. #### Private Sector So private sector momentum for meeting these goals to reduce 3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. ![ The generated image powerfully illustrates the impact of appliance standards on pollution reduction and cost savings. A striking split-screen composition contrasts energy-efficient appliances with their older, inefficient counterparts. On the left side, modern appliances sporting Energy Star labels emit a soft, clean glow. These sleek devices represent the latest in energy-efficient technology, showcasing how updated standards have transformed household equipment. The right side features older, power-hungry appliances belching dark smoke, symbolizing the pollution and waste associated with outdated models. At the center of the image, a large piggy bank overflowing with dollar bills serves as a focal point. This visual metaphor effectively communicates the significant financial savings that result from implementing stricter appliance standards. It reinforces the ACEEE's findings that these regulations are saving the nation billions of dollars. The background of the image transitions from a smoggy cityscape on the right to clear, blue skies on the left. This transformation visually represents the reduction in pollution achieved through more efficient appliances and stricter standards. The vibrant color palette emphasizes the stark contrast between old and new technologies, making the benefits of updated standards immediately apparent. This compelling visual encapsulates the key messages from the Green Living Guy article: appliance standards are not only reducing pollution but also generating substantial economic benefits for the nation. It effectively communicates complex data in an accessible, impactful manner, highlighting the positive changes brought about by energy efficiency regulations in our everyday lives.](https://i0.wp.com/ greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_5864.png?resize=400%2C400&ssl= 1) Of course, the efficiency gains that underlie such enormous CO2 reductions. They also drive huge energy and consumer dollar savings. ![Staples stores use glee energy Star and solar power too](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/e-star-infographic.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=52& ssl=1) Staples Stores are Energy [Star](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/12/manufacturers-cut-17-million-metric-tons-of-greenhouse-emissions-with-help-from-epas-energy-star-program/) Approved! #### ACEEE So ACEEE has the ASAP website to keep tabs on progress. Therefore, the Department of Energy (DOE) completed new standards. That’s for virtually every major household appliance. All within the past few years. That’s as well as for many commercial products. So a significant share of the total savings to date also comes from standards enacted by Congress. All consequently as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act( EISA) of 2007. All including [light](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/ways-to-transform-your-lawn-into-an-eco-friendly-oasis/) bulb standards signed into law by President Bush and codified into regulations by DOE in 2009. Also and to continue reading the blog post visit: [https://aceee.org/blog/2014/02/new-tracker-shows-how-appliance-stand](https://aceee.org/blog/2014/02/new-tracker-shows-how-appliance-stand) Source: [ACEEE](https://web.archive.org/web/20190824231044/https://aceee.org/) #### Yet here are 2017 and new numbers from Energy Star. 1. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses save nearly **4 trillion** kilowatt-hours of electricity and achieve over **3 billion** metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, equivalent to the annual emissions of over 600 million cars. 2. In 2017 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped Americans save approximately 370 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and avoid **$30 billion** in energy costs, with associated emission reductions of 290 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, 190,000 short tons of sulfur dioxide, 180,000 short tons of nitrogen oxides, and 21,000 short tons of fine particulate matter (PM_(2.5)).^(1,2) Furthermore, more than **90% **of American households recognize the ENERGY STAR. ^(3So that means more than** 700 **utilities, state and local governments, and nonprofits leverage ENERGY STAR. Yup and all in their efficiency programs.  Thereby reaching roughly **95%** of households in all 50 states.  Nationwide, utilities invested $7.9 billion in energy efficiency programs in 2017.4 1. Nearly** 600,000 **Americans are employed in manufacturing or installing ENERGY STAR certified appliances. I mean that’s also certified heating and cooling equipment or other non-certified efficient HVAC equipment. Consequently and part of an estimated 2 million energy efficiency jobs in [2018](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/02/home-diy-trends-in-2018/). ^(5) #### **ENERGY STAR products** To begin and In 2017, ENERGY STAR certified products helped consumers save 170 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. So you’re avoiding **$18 billion** in energy costs. You’re also achieving 130 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.^(1,2) #### Especially Lighting In addition, Americans purchased more than **300 million** ENERGY STAR certified products and more than 300 million ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs in 2017. Consequently and All for cumulative totals. Drum roll please: exceeding 6 billion products and more than 4 billion light bulbs. That means estimated annual market value of ENERGY STAR product sales is more than** $100 billion in 2017 ALONE!** Then EPA sets definitions of efficiency leadership for more than **75 **residential and commercial product categories. Currently more than** 60,000 **product models have earned the ENERGY STAR based on these rigorous criteria. Plus and with more than** 2,800 **product models. All from more than 170 manufacturers recognized as“ ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” in 2018. Again and by choosing ENERGY STAR, a typical household can save about **$575 **on their energy bills. Plus they can still enjoy the quality and performance they expect. ^(6) Also, about** three-fourths **of U.S. households report the ENERGY STAR label as influential in their purchasing decisions.^(3 ) **Then 80%** of purchasers would recommend ENERGY STAR products to a friend.^(3) Learn more about ENERGY STAR products #### **ENERGY STAR for commercial buildings** a) Starting In 2017, the ENERGY STAR program for commercial buildings helped businesses and organizations save 160 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. That’s avoid ** $9 billion **in energy costs, and achieve 110 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.^(1,2) b) In 2018 alone, more than** 270,000 **commercial properties used EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® tool to measure, and track their energy use, [water use](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/03/ford-asia-pacific-and-africa-plants-reduce-water-use-by-25/), and/or waste and materials.  These buildings comprise 26 billion square feet of floor space. I mean nearly a quarter of all the commercial floor space in the nation. c) Over the past five years, the number of buildings actively using Portfolio Manager to benchmark their energy performance increased by more than** 30%. In addition,** the commercial building square footage actively benchmarked grew by over **40%**. Very interestingly, more than** 8,100** buildings earned the ENERGY STAR in 2018 ALONE! That’s bringing the total to more than 34,000.^(7) Let’s start with first of all, ENERGY STAR certified buildings use** 35%** less energy. Especially that’s less than typical buildings nationwide. I mean study after study shows ENERGY STAR certified buildings command a premium of up to **16%. Yes folks**  for sales prices and rental rates.^(8) Now, most interestingly and as of the end of 2018, **29** local governments, **three** states, and **one **Canadian province rely on EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager ® tool.  Again, most noteworthy that’s the foundation for their energy benchmarking and transparency policies. Learn more about ENERGY STAR for commercial buildings #### **ENERGY STAR for industrial plants ** So in 2017 went big. I mean the ENERGY STAR program for industrial plants helped businesses saved 34 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. We are talking about avoiding** $3 billion **in energy costs. Thus achieving 40 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.^(1,2) Now as of 2018, **31** diverse industrial sectors work with ENERGY STAR. They do it to strategically manage their energy use. We are talking from cookie and cracker bakeries. Then we have from pharmaceutical plants to integrated steel mills and petroleum refineries. **Finally, 100** additional industrial plants earned the ENERGY STAR in 2018. Also,** 41** industrial plants achieved energy intensity reductions. That’s in the 2018 [ENERGY STAR Challenge](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/12/energy-star-challenge-success-stories-in-energy-efficiency/) for Industry campaign. Learn more as well about ENERGY STAR for industrial plants #### **ENERGY STAR for new and existing homes** In 2017, the ENERGY STAR certified new homes program alone helped homeowners save 3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. That’s avoid **$400 million **in energy costs. As well as achieving 3 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.^( 1,2) #### ENERGY STAR certified More than** 98,000 **ENERGY STAR certified single-family homes and multifamily units were built in 2018 alone. Coming to a a total of nearly 2 million homes since 1995. As of 2018,** 90% **of the nation’s top home builders built ENERGY STAR certified homes. As well as nearly** one out of every ten **single-family homes. Yes folks and most noteworthy built in 2018 alone. As a result, all were ENERGY STAR certified. In addition, ENERGY STAR certified homes are at least 10% more [energy efficient](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/understanding-the-difference-between-portable-standby-and-solar-generators/) than homes built to code.  Thereby achieving a** most noteworthy 20% **improvement on average. Finally and most importantly, that’s all the while providing homeowners with better quality, performance, and comfort. Furthermore, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR partners completed **83****,000 ** energy efficiency improvement projects. Most noteworthy, all on existing homes in 2018 ALONE! Learn more about ENERGY STAR new and existing homes #### SOURCES: #### So the majority of data cited is from 2018. In cases where 2018 data is not yet available, 2017 data is used. All instances are noted as such. 1. Estimated energy cost savings represent the present value of net energy cost savings. It’s calculated by taking the difference between total energy bill savings and the incremental additional investment in energy-efficient technologies and services. 2. Estimates of contributions to emission reductions do not account for overlapping impacts of regulatory programs and may be affected by other dynamics on the electrical grid. ???? So I really didn’t get that one USDOE! EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Climate Protection Partnerships Division. (2017). _National Awareness of ENERGY STAR® for 2016: Analysis of 2016 CEE Household Survey_. [http://energystar.gov/awareness](http://energystar.gov/awareness). ACEEE. (2018).  The 2018 [State Energy Efficiency](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/04/exploring-state-energy-efficiency-the-aceee-scorecard/) Scorecard.   [https://aceee.org/research-report/u1808](https://aceee.org/research-report/u1808)( link is external) (link is external). NASEO and Energy Futures Initiative. (2018). _U.S. Energy and Employment Report_. [https://www.usenergyjobs.org/report(link](https://www.usenergyjobs.org/report(link) is external)(link is external). ### Finally and per the USEER Report, energy efficiency jobs, “include the manufacture of ENERGY STAR®-labeled products. That’s as well as building design. Furthermore and contracting services that provide insulation. As well as improving natural lighting and reducing overall energy consumption. That’s across homes and businesses. Most interestingly, the survey does not account for retail employment. 1. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. (2016). _Typical House Estimates_. Prepared for EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Climate Protection Partnerships Division. * Data as of 9/26/2018. In addition and on August 26, 2018. It seems that EPA updated performance metrics for U.S. buildings in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager ® based on the most recent market data available. In conclusion and on September 27, 2018, EPA implemented a review period. All to solicit feedback on the application. Especially of those models to various commercial building sectors and the resulting scores. During this period, EPA temporarily suspended awarding certifications. That’s for all U.S. property types with new score models.  I DON’T GET THAT! 1. Boston Green Ribbon Commission. (2012).  [Benchmarking and Disclosure](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/01/tracking-a-homes-energy-fitness/): Lessons from Leading Cities, Boston Green Ribbon Commission. [https://www.abettercity.org/docs/06.2012%20-%Benchmarking%20report%20-%20Final.pdf](https://www.abettercity.org/docs/06.2012%20-%20Benchmarking%20report%20-%20Final.pdf) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4841837f2a0756d69aeaa2877e5646549fc845ec2f0ffc2804839152c38ba332? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenguruguides The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman, is recognized as a green living guru and electric car expert. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides, green business and electric vehicles. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenguruguides/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenguruguides/)