ENERGY STAR Labeling: What It Is and Why It Matters

Dishwashers can have it. Refrigerators and freezers can have it. So what is “it?” “It” is the ENERGY STAR label.

In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, ENERGY STAR is recognized as the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency in Phoenix heating and air conditioning and many other household appliances. Items with this respected label send the message to the consumer that the item or appliance can help them save money while protecting the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.

How the Label is Earned

To earn the ENERGY STAR label a Phoenix heating and air conditioning or other product must contribute significant energy savings nationwide and deliver increased energy efficiency with the features and performance demanded by consumers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which runs the ENERGY STAR program, establishes the specifications a product or appliance must adhere to in order to receive the label, based on the following set of key guiding principles:

• Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide.
• Qualified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.
• If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through utility bill savings, within a reasonable period of time.
• Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.
• Product energy consumption and performance can be measured and verified with testing.
• Labeling would effectively differentiate products and be visible for purchasers.

To receive ENERGY STAR certification, an air conditioning system must have a high seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) that makes it more than 15 percent more efficient than conventional models. A professional Phoenix AC contractor, like those at Chas Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing, can help you select the right ENERGY STAR system for your home.

ENERGY STAR-labeled HVAC systems have optimized performance to help you save energy and money on your monthly energy bill, while improving the comfort of your home. You can feel good knowing that your ENERGY STAR-labeled system also helps prevent harmful carbon pollution and reduces other greenhouse gases.

For more information on the ENERGY STAR-labeled systems that Chas Roberts installs, or to schedule a Phoenix AC repair appointment, visit ChasRoberts.com or call (602) 943-3426 in Phoenix or (520) 292-6858 in Tucson.