From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Energy Star logo is placed on energy-efficient products.

Energy Star is a United States government program to promote energy efficient consumer products. It is well known for its logo appearing on many computer products and peripherals, though on many European-targeted products, TCO Certification, a combined energy usage and ergonomics rating from the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO), is used instead.

The Energy Star program was created in 1992 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission by power plants. The program was developed by John S. Hoffman, inventor of the Green Programs at US EPA, and implemented by Cathy Zoi and Brian Johnson.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[1] The label can also be found on some new homes and commercial and industrial buildings.

The EPA estimates that it saved about $12 billion in energy costs in 2005 alone.^[2] 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.^{[citation needed]}

Please help improve this article by expanding this section. See talk page for details. Please remove this message once the section has been expanded.

A new Energy Star specification for desktop computers went into effect 20 July 2007.^[3] The requirements are more stringent than the previous specification and existing equipment designs can no longer use the logo unless re-qualified. The power requirements are for 80% or greater AC power supply efficiency using the standards defined by 80 Plus Program. ^[4]

• One Watt Initiative
• Power management
• E-waste
• Green energy
• House Energy Rating (Australia)
• European Union energy label

1. ^ [1] Energy Star Milestones. Retrieved June 8, 2006.
2. ^ [2] EPA press release, "Energy Star Annual Report Released — Americans saved $12 billion in 2005". October 2006.
3. ^ [3] PowerPulse.net, "New Energy Star Promoting New Specs at APEC and PPDC". March 20, 2006. Retrieved June 8, 2006.
4. ^ [4] 80plus.org, "The 80 Plus Program | About". February 23, 2007. Retrieved March 03, 2007.

• Official Energy Star web site
• Energy Star computer specifications
• Energy Star Australia
• Energy Star Canada
• Energy Consumption Calculator
• Energy Star entry at Ecolabelling.org