What Does Energy STAR Mean?

Advertisements have been inundating the general public for years now encouraging people to buy ENERGY STAR products. What is this classification and what does it mean to those that purchase products with the ENERGY STAR logo?

For starters, ENERGY STAR is a logo backed by the Federal government that indicates a high degree of energy efficiency. It can be seen on countless products as a symbol of quality and performance.

The ENERGY STAR program was started by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 in an effort to decrease green house gases by raising consumer awareness. The EPA's goal is to help consumers save money on utility bills, conserve energy and protect the environment. The easily-recognizable logo aims to make it easier to identify energy efficient products that do not sacrifice performance and features.

In order to earn the ENERGY STAR label, products must first be rigorously tested. In addition, if the ENERGY STAR appliance costs significantly more than its conventional alternative, the difference in price must be able to be recouped in energy savings within a relatively short amount of time.