Adopted in 1992, Energy Star is an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) program to rate the energy efficiency of consumer products such as appliances, electronics, lighting, and building materials. The ratings are designed to help consumers navigate their choices in the marketplace and motivate them to purchase highly efficient products to help conserve energy, save money and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Any product with an Energy Star rating is supposed to be 10-25% more efficient than government standards for similar products.
However, according to a March 2010 report by ABC News, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) set up several "fake" companies and applied for the Energy Star rating for several fictitious consumer products. The investigation revealed that it is quite easy to obtain the rating because there is little to no verification of the manufacturers' claims of energy efficiency. Several products that were granted the Energy Star rating during this investigation were not only bogus but bordering on ridiculous (such as an "air purifier" which was basically a space heater with a feather duster attached to it).
"It is a self-certification process," an official from the GAO told ABC News.
What are consumers to do? In reaction to the investigation by the GAO, the EPA and Department of Energy have promised to develop independent testing and thorough review before awarding the coveted Energy Star rating on consumer products. Until reforms are in place to confirm a manufacturers' claims of energy efficiency, consumers will have to be wary of the posted claims. The Nature Conservancy doesn't advocate buying just any old appliance. It is a general opinion that an Energy Star rating is better than no rating until better verification methods are developed.
Stick with more trusted manufacturers and technologies that are known to be better (such as front loading washing machines versus top loading washers and compact fluorescent bulbs versus incandescent light bulbs). Consider pricing of an appliance too. Unfortunately, energy efficiency usually comes at a cost. If a product is priced low and claims outstanding efficiency, beware, it is probably too good to be true.
Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.
Energy Star Ratings - Can You Trust Them? Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.
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The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
Gina Wherry - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213
