Energy Star
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:EnergyStarLogo.gif ENERGY STAR is a United States government program to promote energy efficient consumer products.
Contents |
Overview
The ENERGY STAR program was created in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an attempt to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission by power plants. It began as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy efficient products, and computer products were the first to be labeled. It has since expanded to major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, and more. The label can also be found on some new homes and commercial and industrial buildings.
The ENERGY STAR program estimates that it saved about $10 billion in energy savings in 2004 alone. ENERGY STAR has been a driving force behind the more widespread use of LED traffic lights, efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems for office equipment, and low standby energy use.
The program was developed by John S Hoffman, inventor of the Green Programs at US EPA, and implemented by Cathy Zoi and Brian Johnson. Unlike most government programs, it was started with little budget and almost no bureaucracy. The program was intended to be part of a series of voluntary programs, such as Green Lights and the Methane Programs, that would demonstrate the potential for profit in reducing greenhouse gases and facilitate further steps to reducing global warming gases. Its success, however, has not convinced the US Administration to move forward with mandatory controls or to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
Outside of the US, the ENERGY STAR program is best known for its logo appearing on computer products and peripherals. However, on many European-targeted products, a combined energy usage and ergonomics rating from the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) is used instead.
Timeline
- 2005: Almost 2,000 buildings across the US have earned the ENERGY STAR.
- 2005: Over 350,000 new Homes in the US have earned the ENERGY STAR label; nearly 1 in 10 new homes built in 2004 qualified as ENERGY STAR.
- 2004: Almost 1,400 buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR.
- 2002: Over 100,000 new homes in the US have earned the ENERGY STAR label.
- 2002: Nearly 1,100 buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR label.