When you see the ENERGY STAR label on a product, home, building, or industrial plant, you can be confident that its energy performance has been rigorously verified. This verification process is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the ENERGY STAR program and ensuring consumers and businesses can trust the label when making energy-efficient choices.
The Value of Third-Party Certification
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a comprehensive system of third-party certification for all ENERGY STAR labels. This independent verification eliminates potential conflicts of interest and maintains a level playing field for manufacturers and builders, ensuring that the ENERGY STAR label remains a trusted symbol of superior energy efficiency.
Let's explore how each category earns ENERGY STAR certification:
How Products Earn the ENERGY STAR Label
For consumer products like appliances and electronics to display the ENERGY STAR label, manufacturers must follow these steps:
-
Sign a formal agreement with EPA - This establishes the manufacturer's commitment to the program's requirements and standards.
-
Submit products for third-party certification - Products must be tested by independent laboratories against strict performance requirements specific to each product category.
-
Undergo ongoing verification - The EPA oversees certification for tens of thousands of product models, managing more than twenty certification bodies and over 500 recognized labs.
-
Submit to post-market testing - A subset of all ENERGY STAR products undergoes additional testing each year to ensure continued performance compliance.
-
Participate in labeling audits - The EPA conducts periodic audits of product labeling at major retailers to monitor proper use of the ENERGY STAR mark.
This comprehensive approach ensures that when consumers see the ENERGY STAR label on a water heater, refrigerator, or computer, they can trust that it truly delivers on its energy-saving promises.
How Residential New Construction Earns the ENERGY STAR
New homes and apartments must complete a thorough verification process to earn the ENERGY STAR label:
-
Rigorous third-party inspections - Independent home energy rating companies conduct detailed inspections and testing.
-
Oversight by recognized organizations - For site-built homes and apartments, this verification is performed under the supervision of an EPA-recognized Home Certification Organization (HCO) or a Multifamily Review Organization (MRO), depending on the verification method used.
-
Quality control for factory-built homes - For homes built in a factory environment, a Plant Certifier operating under an EPA-recognized Quality Assurance Provider (QAP) ensures consistent building practices and performs ongoing quality testing.
-
Demonstrated compliance - Organizations seeking recognition as HCOs, MROs, or QAPs must apply to the EPA and demonstrate their ability to perform all required roles and responsibilities.
These stringent requirements ensure that ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments deliver meaningful energy savings and improved comfort for their occupants.
How Commercial Buildings Earn the ENERGY STAR
Commercial buildings follow a performance-based certification process:
-
Achieve a qualifying ENERGY STAR score - Eligible buildings must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on the 1-100 scale, indicating they perform better than at least 75% of similar buildings nationwide.
-
Professional verification - Before applying, a building's application must be verified by a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect.
-
Comprehensive review - These professionals verify that all energy use is accounted for accurately, building characteristics are properly reported, and the building operates according to industry standards for indoor environmental quality.
-
Regular audits - The EPA conducts routine audits to ensure continued adherence to program guidelines.
This certification process makes the ENERGY STAR label a powerful tool for building owners to demonstrate superior energy performance to tenants, investors, and other stakeholders.
How Industrial Plants Earn the ENERGY STAR
Industrial facilities must meet similar high standards:
-
Demonstrate superior performance - Eligible plants must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher, showing they operate more efficiently than at least 75% of similar facilities nationwide.
-
Professional certification - A Professional Engineer must certify that the information used to calculate the plant's energy performance score is accurate.
-
Environmental compliance - The plant must satisfy EPA environmental compliance criteria beyond energy efficiency.
This certification helps industrial facilities showcase their commitment to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship while realizing significant cost savings.
Additional Resources for Energy Efficiency
Understanding energy efficiency is just the beginning. The ENERGY STAR program offers several resources to help consumers and businesses maximize their energy savings:
What is Energy Efficiency?
Energy efficiency means using less energy to accomplish the same task—reducing both energy bills and environmental pollution in the process. By choosing ENERGY STAR certified products and buildings, consumers and businesses can achieve these benefits without sacrificing performance or comfort.
ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder
Many utilities and state programs offer rebates and special offers on ENERGY STAR certified products. The ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder helps consumers locate these money-saving opportunities in their area, making energy-efficient choices even more affordable.
Federal Energy Tax Credits
The federal government offers tax incentives for certain energy-saving products and building efficiency upgrades. These tax credits can significantly reduce the upfront cost of energy-efficient investments, accelerating the return on investment for homeowners and businesses.
Conclusion
The rigorous certification process behind the ENERGY STAR label ensures its continued value as a trusted symbol of energy efficiency. By safeguarding the integrity of the program through independent verification, the EPA supports a thriving market for energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, and industrial facilities.
When you choose ENERGY STAR, you can be confident that your purchase or investment will deliver the energy savings and environmental benefits you expect. This trust has made ENERGY STAR an essential tool in America's efforts to reduce energy consumption, save money, and protect the environment for future generations.