Energy Star Program

The Energy Star Program from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy is designed to encourage energy efficient products and practices. The program was started in 1992 by the US EPA as a voluntary labeling program for computers and monitors. Other office equipment was added in 1995. The program was expanded in 1996, with the US Department of Energy. It now covers major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, new homes, commercial and industrial buildings.

As well as an extensive web site, there are ENERGY STAR Podcasts.

Products Covered

1. Appliances
   • Battery Chargers
   • Clothes Washers
   • Dehumidifiers
   • Dishwashers
   • Refrigerators & Freezers
   • Room AC
   • Room Air Cleaners
   • Water Coolers
2. Heating & Cooling
   
   • Air-source Heat Pumps
   • Boilers
   • Central AC
   • Ceiling Fans
   • Dehumidifiers
   • Furnaces
   • Geothermal Heat Pumps
   • Home Sealing (Insulation)
   • Light Commercial
   • Programmable Thermostats
   • Room AC
   • Ventilating Fans
3. Home Envelope
   • Home Sealing (Insulation and Air Sealing)
   • Roof Products
   • Windows, Doors, & Skylights
4. Home Electronics
   • Battery Charging Systems
   • Cordless Phones
   • Combination Units
   • Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes (DTAs)
   • DVD Products
   • External Power Adapters
   • Home Audio
   • Televisions
   • VCRs
5. Office Equipment
   • Computers
   • Copiers and Fax Machines
   • Digital Duplicators
   • Notebook Computers/Tablet PCs
   • Mailing Machines
   • External Power Adapters
   • Monitors
   • Printers, Scanners, and All-in-Ones
6. Lighting
   • Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
   • Residential Light Fixtures
   • Ceiling Fans
   • Decorative Light Strings (DLS)
   • Commercial Food Service
   • Commercial Dishwashers
   • Commercial Fryers
   • Commercial Hot Food Holding Cabinets
   • Commercial Ice Machines
   • Commercial Solid Door Refrigerators & Freezers
   • Commercial Steam Cookers
7. Other Commercial Products
   • Battery Charging Systems
   • Exit Signs
   • External Power Adapters
   • Roof Products
   • Vending Machines
   • Water Coolers

New Product Specifications in Development

New Product Specifications are in development include:

1. enterprise servers.
2. solid state lighting luminaires (led lights)
3. residential water heaters
4. commercial griddles
5. laboratory grade refrigerators and freezers

Revisions have also been made to products including:

1. Computers
2. Computer monitors
3. External power adapters
4. TVs
5. set-top boxes
6. VCRs
7. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
8. residential light fixtures
9. Imaging equipment
10. programmable thermostats
11. clothes washers
12. residential ventilating fans
13. windows, doors and skylights
14. Furnaces
15. commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers

Office Equipment

It should be noted that many of the products listed under "Office Equipment" are also used in the home:

1. Computers
2. Notebook Computers/Tablet PCs
3. Monitors
4. External Power Adapters
5. Printer, Scanners, and All-in-Ones

Computers

Computers must meet energy use guidelines in: standby, active, and sleep modes. Computers must also have an efficient internal power supply. Power management features are required for a low-power “sleep mode” after a designated period of inactivity.

Energy Star standards are volintary, but have been made mandatory for some US Government purchasing:

• The Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires ENERGY STAR or other efficient products. Notice of Proposed Rule provides guidance on this.
• Executive Order 13423 requires agencies to activate ENERGY STAR “sleep” features on computers and monitors. The Council on Environmental Quality issued instructions on this.

Monitors

Computer monitors requirements include On, Sleep, and Off Modes :

• On Mode: the maximum allowed power according to resolution.
  
• Sleep Mode: 2 watts or less.
• Off Mode: 1 watt or less.