If you are looking for how to lower electric bill then you can switch to energy star appliances. Energy efficiency is an effective way of preserving the planet but it is also good for your money. Using less energy will lead to purchasing less energy. Whilst there are a lot of ways to save energy such as turning off your lights, adjusting your thermostat and so on, energy star appliances will help you save energy without comprising your comfort.
Energy star certification is applied to numerous appliances and other technologies as well. It means different things. Read on as we take a closer look at the star label and what it means.
What is an energy star?
This is a government-backed program for identifying appliances and products that meet certain standards for energy efficiency. It was established by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a way of promoting products designed to use less electricity and reduce recurring costs for users.
Energy star designation
The Department of Energy and EPA decide which products get the Energy Star designation. They grade products in more than seventy-five categories, with the standards varying depending on the appliance. The EPA uses a few guidelines to determine which products receive the energy star label. These principles include: Products should be in a category that could contribute to energy savings; products should have the performance and features preferred by customers and provide energy efficiency; certified products that cost more than alternatives that are less efficient should provide savings in energy costs within a reasonable timeframe; energy efficiency technology can be easily achieved by manufactures to reduce energy bills and energy savings can be confirmed in testing.
This determination is different for each category. For example, fridges should be at least fifteen percent more efficient than the minimal efficiency standard. On the other hand, TVs should consume three watts or less when switched off – about fifty percent less than the average television and light bulbs should use two-thirds less power than a standard bulb.
The types of appliances that are eligible to get an energy star rating
The department of energy and EPA have designated seventy-five categories of products that are eligible to get the energy star mark. Some of these categories include appliances like air conditioners, dryers, fridges and washers. Television and computer monitors also get graded. The same also applies to pool pumps and ceiling fans.
Different levels of ratings
Energy star rating doesn’t create different levels of energy efficiency. It only applies certification to products that qualify. However, it keeps a list of the most efficient products in every category. Products that can earn this achievement get an energy star logo that specifies the product or appliance that is considered the most efficient in its own category for a given area. Energy Star also offers scores for commercial businesses ranging from one to a hundred. This is based on comparisons to other buildings with similar use that have been graded on efficiency on how to lower electric bill