Energy Star is a United States government program to promote energy-efficient consumer products. 
		


Table of contents 







1 History

2 Major Milestones


3 Source

4 External Link




History

In 1992 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced Energy Star as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Computers and monitors were the first labeled products. Through 1995, EPA expanded the label to additional office equipment products and residential heating and cooling equipment. In 1996, EPA partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy for particular product categories. The Energy Star label is now on major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics and more. EPA has also extended the label to cover new homes and commercial and industrial buildings.

Through its partnerships with more than 7,000 private and public sector organizations, Energy Star delivers technical information and tools that organizations and consumers may use choose energy-efficient solutions and best management practices. Energy Star has delivered energy and cost savings across the country, saving businesses, organizations, and consumers more than $7 billion a year. Over the past decade, Energy Star has been a driving force behind the more widespread use of such technological innovations as LED traffic lights, efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems for office equipment and low standby energy use.


Major Milestones
 

2003


  • January: Energy Star specifications for Audio/DVD revised. 

  • January: Energy Star, through its work with the U.S. auto manufacturing industry, provides the first plant energy performance indicator for this industry. 

  • March: Energy Star specification for RLF revised. 

  • May: Over 1,000 of the nation's most energy efficient buildings have earned EPA's Energy Star designation for superior energy performance. 

  • August: Energy Star label for Commercial Cooking Equipment available. 

  • September: Energy Star specifications for vent fans and TVs revised. 

  • September: Change Campaign came to a close. It generated over $17 million in equivalent ad value and more than 70,000 airings in just 18 months. 

  • October: Energy Star specifications for Ceiling Fans revised. 

  • October: 50% of the top U.S. homebuilders participate in Energy Star for new homes. 

2002


2001


  • January: Energy Star label for set-top boxes and residential dehumidifiers introduced. 

  • June: Energy Star specifications for ventilation fans and commercial washing machines announced. 

  • July: Energy Star label extended to supermarkets and grocery stores that perform in the top 25% of the market. 

  • July: U.S. and Canada announce agreement to partner on Energy Star. 

August: Energy Star specifications for ceiling fans and small commercial heating and cooling equipment announced. 

  • September: Energy Star specifications for commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers available. 

  • November: EPA and Energy Star launch a national public awareness campaign called Change to encourage Americans to help protect the environment by changing to energy-efficient products and practices. 

  • November: Energy Star label extended to acute care hospitals that perform in the top 25% of the market. 

2000


  • April: Energy Star label extended to schools that perform in the top 25% of the market. 

  • June: US Army and Navy housing procurement specifications comply with Energy Star qualifications for new homes. 

  • October: First annual Change a Light fall lighting promotion launched. 

  • October: Energy Star qualified Water coolers introduced. 

  • November: Energy Star qualified traffic signals announced. 

  • November: Energy Star offers the Home Improvement Toolbox to make it easy for homeowners to incorporate ENERGY STAR into their home improvement or repair projects. 

  • November: Portfolio Manager, an energy tracking and management tool for buildings, released. 

1999


  • January: Energy Star program requirements for consumer audio and DVD equipment announced. 

  • February: Energy Star label for roof products introduced. 

  • June: Energy Star label extended to office buildings that perform in the top 25 percent of the market. 

  • August: Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) added. 

1998


  • January: Energy Star qualified TVs and VCRs announced. 

  • March: Energy Star qualified windows added. 

1997


  • March: Energy Star specifications for residential light fixtures, multifunction devices, and scanners announced. 
    

  • July: Energy Star qualified clothes washers announced. 
    

  • December: Energy Star qualified homes expands to include manufactured homes. 

1996


  • June: EPA and DOE announce their Energy Star partnership. Exit signs, insulation, and boilers added to the list of qualified product categories. 
    

  • October: Energy Star label for appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators and room air conditioners announced. 
    

  • December: Several national lenders offer ENERGY STAR mortgages to purchase qualified new homes. 

1995


  • March: Energy Star for buildings launched to help businesses simultaneously improve their energy performance and increase their bottom line. Green Lights merges with Energy Star for buildings. 

  • April: EPA introduces Energy Star specifications for copiers, transformers, and residential heating and cooling products, including air-source heat pumps, central air conditioners, furnaces, gas-fired heat pumps, and programmable thermostats. (Note: the label was removed from gas-fired heat pumps in April 2000 because of product unavailability.) 

  • October: EPA launches Energy Star qualified new homes that are 30% more efficient than the model energy code. 

1994


  • October: Energy Star qualified fax machines introduced. 

1993


  • January: Energy Star qualified printers introduced. 

1992


  • June: EPA introduces the first Energy Star qualified product line, including personal computers and monitors. 

1991


  • January: EPA introduces the Green Lights Program, a partnership program designed to promote efficient lighting systems in commercial and industrial buildings to be integrated into Energy Star by the end of the decade. 
    

Source

This public domain U.S. government website.


External Link

Energystar.com