Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2009 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 30 million cars — all while saving nearly $17 billion on their utility bills.

For the Home

Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. ENERGY STAR helps you make the energy efficient choice.

• If looking for new household products, look for ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR. They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy.
• If looking for a new home, look for one that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
• If looking to make larger improvements to your home, EPA offers tools and resources to help you plan and undertake projects to reduce your energy bills and improve home comfort.

For Business

Because a strategic approach to energy management can produce twice the savings — for the bottom line and the environment — as typical approaches, EPA’s ENERGY STAR partnership offers a proven energy management strategy that helps in measuring current energy performance, setting goals, tracking savings, and rewarding improvements.

EPA provides an innovative energy performance rating system which businesses have already used for more than 130,000 buildings across the country. EPA also recognizes top performing buildings with the ENERGY STAR.

ENERGY STAR History

EPA–DOE MOU

Did You Know?

Your home can cause twice the greenhouse gas emissions of a car.

• 2009 Achievements in Brief (284KB)
• 2008 Annual Report (4.5MB)
• ENERGY STAR – The Power to Protect the Environment through Energy Efficiency (272KB)

History of ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

In 1992 the US 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. Computers and monitors were the first labeled products. Through 1995, EPA expanded the label to additional office equipment products and residential heating and cooling equipment. In 1996, EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy for particular product categories. The ENERGY STAR label is now on major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, and more. EPA has also extended the label to cover new homes and commercial and industrial buildings.

Through its partnerships with more than 17,000 private and public sector organizations, ENERGY STAR delivers the technical information and tools that organizations and consumers need to choose energy-efficient solutions and best management practices. ENERGY STAR has successfully delivered energy and cost savings across the country, saving businesses, organizations, and consumers about $17 billion in 2009 alone. Over the past decade, ENERGY STAR has been a driving force behind the more widespread use of such technological innovations as efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems for office equipment, and low standby energy use.

Energy prices have become a hot news topic and a major concern for consumers. ENERGY STAR provides solutions. ENERGY STAR provides a trustworthy label on over 60 product categories (and thousands of models) for the home and office. These products deliver the same or better performance as comparable models while using less energy and saving money. ENERGY STAR also provides easy-to-use home and building assessment tools so that homeowners and building managers can start down the path to greater efficiency and cost savings.

Major Milestones

Annual Reports

• 2009 Achievements in Brief (284KB)
• 2008 Annual Report (4.5MB)
• 2007 Annual Report (2.9MB)
• 2006 Annual Report (2.2MB)
• 2005 Annual Report (3.46MB)
• 2004 Annual Report (1.27MB)
• 2003 Annual Report (1.26MB)
• 2002 Annual Report (1.58MB)
• 2001 Annual Report (4.2MB)
• 2000 Annual Report (12.1MB)
• ENERGY STAR – The Power to Protect the Environment through Energy Efficiency (272KB)

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Major Milestones

2010

• January: The first Food Processing Plants Earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance.
• April: EPA requires lab report from manufacturers when submitting product for ENERGY STAR certification.
• April: ENERGY STAR requirements for new homes is tightened, effective January 2011.
• April: EPA launches the first National Building Competition, a coast-to-coast contest between commercial buildings to save energy and fight climate change.

2009

• March: ENERGY STAR specification for computer monitors is announced, with an effective date of October 30, 2009 for screens less than 30 inches, and January 1, 2010 for screens 30–60 inches.
• March: ENERGY STAR announces the first four pharmaceutical plants to achieve ENERGY STAR certification.
• April: ENERGY STAR specification for commercial refrigerators and freezers is announced, with an effective date of January 1, 2010.
• April: Affordable Housing website launched.
• April: National awareness of ENERGY STAR increases to 75%.
• May: EPA announces new specification for commercial griddles, effective immediately.
• May: EPA announces new specification for computer servers, effective immediately.
• July: ENERGY STAR homes achieve a market penetration of nearly 17% for 2008.
• September: ENERGY STAR specification for televisions is updated, with an effective date of May 1, 2010.
• October: Manufacturing plants that produce container and food items become eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. The specifications for flat and container glass manufacturing plants and juice and frozen fried potato processing plants are the first of their kind for these industries.
• November: The number of ENERGY STAR qualified homes built in the US surpasses one million.
• November: ENERGY STAR specifications are announced for home audio/video equipment, including CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray players and other home theater equipment. The specification takes effect July 30, 2010.
• December: ENERGY STAR specification for water-to-water geothermal heat pumps is announced, effective immediately.

2008

• January: ENERGY STAR qualified CFL sales for 2007 nearly double, reaching 20% market share.
• February: ENERGY STAR specification for televisions is updated, with an effective date of November 1, 2008.
• February: The number of commercial buildings and manufacturing plants to earn the ENERGY STAR increases by more than 25% in 2007 to nearly 4,100.
• February: EPA announces enhancements to its on-line energy rating system for water and wastewater facilities.
• April: ENERGY STAR specification for set-top boxes is announced, with an effective date of January 1, 2009.
• April: EPA launches “Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR” campaign to help Americans join in the fight against climate change.
• April: EPA launches “Low Carbon IT Campaign” encouraging organizations to enable the power management features on their computers and monitors.
• April: National awareness of ENERGY STAR increases to 70%.
• October: ENERGY STAR specification for imaging equipment, including printers, scanners, and faxes, is updated, with an effective date of July 1, 2009.

2007

• January: ENERGY STAR specification for Digital Television Adapters (DTAs) is announced.
• February: More than 3,200 buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR.
• April: Public Awareness of ENERGY STAR Label Exceeds 65%.
• June: New ENERGY STAR PSA Campaign features real people fighting global warming.
• July: ENERGY STAR Criteria for Commercial Dishwashers and Ice Machines announced.
• August: Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency.
• September: EPA’s on-line energy rating system for commercial buildings is updated to include greenhouse gas emission factors.
• October: Eighth annual ENERGY STAR Change a Light campaign launches its first National Bus Tour.
• October: EPA offers customized recommendations for improving energy efficiency and comfort at home through the new ENERGY STAR Home Advisor.
• October: The first retail buildings earn the ENERGY STAR Award.

2006

• January: Battery chargers can now earn the ENERGY STAR.
• January: EPA adopts Guiding Principles for designing and operating sustainable federal facilities.
• January: More than 2,500 buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR.
• March: Americans have purchased more than two billion ENERGY STAR qualified products.
• May: ENERGY STAR @ Home interactive tool is launched, as part of the annual summer “Cool Your World” campaign.
• May: Specifications for imaging equipment (copiers, fax machines, printers, and scanners) is revised, with an effective date of April 1, 2007.
• August: EPA Announces Energy Performance Indicators for Cement Manufacturers & Corn Refiners.
• September: Manufacturing plants can earn the ENERGY STAR for the first time.
• September: Rebuilt Vending Machines can now earn the ENERGY STAR.
• October: Computers specification is revised, with an effective date of July 20, 2007.
• October: 7th annual Change a Light campaign run October through November.
• October: First Partnership for Home Energy Efficiency (PHEE) Report released.
• November: Annual winter “Heat Your Home Smartly” campaign begins.
• December: US and EU renew ENERGY STAR agreement.
• December: Nearly 200,000 new homes earned the ENERGY STAR in 2006 (12% of single family home starts), bringing the total number of ENERGY STAR qualified homes across the nation to almost 750,000.

2005

• January: Agreement with the European Union (EU) updated.
• January: Power adapters can now earn the ENERGY STAR.
• January: Almost 2000 buildings across the US have earned the ENERGY STAR.
• February: ENERGY STAR awareness now over 60% nationally.
• March: Over 350,000 new Homes in the US have earned the ENERGY STAR; nearly 1 in 10 new homes built in 2004 qualified as ENERGY STAR.
• March: ENERGY STAR Challenge Announced – EPA challenges US buildings to be 10% more energy efficient.
• April: ENERGY STAR specification for telephony revised, effective November 1, 2006.
• May: ENERGY STAR Industrial Focus on energy efficiency in cement announced.
• June: EPA announces availability of ENERGY STAR performance indicator for auto assembly plants.
• July: EPA/HUD/DOE announce Partnerships for Home Energy Efficiency (PHEE).
• July: Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offered by local program sponsors in 12 states.
• August: Specification for dehumidifiers is updated, with an effective date of October 1, 2006.
• September: ENERGY STAR new homes specification is revised, effective July 1, 2006.
• October: October 5 is ENERGY STAR Change a Light Day.
• December: Half of the states join EPA’s ENERGY STAR Challenge to address energy issues.
• December: ENERGY STAR specification for clothes washer is revised, effective January 2007.

2004

• January: Almost 1400 buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance.
• February: Draft specifications and proposed testing methodology for power supplies announced.
• March: ENERGY STAR public awareness reaches 56%.
• April: New energy efficiency specification announced for refrigerated vending machines.
• May: EPA expands ENERGY STAR to commercial new construction with the “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” label.
• June: EPA launches new PSA campaign.
• July: ENERGY STAR expanded to air cleaners.
• July: Updated and expanded agreement with New Zealand on the implementation of ENERGY STAR.
• July: Announcement of grant for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR to help establish certification for home improvement contractors.
• August: ENERGY STAR specification for exit signs revised.

2003

• January: ENERGY STAR specifications for Audio/DVD revised.
• January: ENERGY STAR, through its work with the U.S. auto manufacturing industry, provides the first plant energy performance indicator for this industry.
• March: ENERGY STAR specification for Residential Light Fixture (RLF) revised.
• August: ENERGY STAR label for commercial steam cookers available.
• September: ENERGY STAR specifications for ventilation fans and TVs revised.
• September: Change Campaign came to a close. It generated over $17 million in equivalent ad value and more than 70,000 airings in just 18 months.
• October: ENERGY STAR specifications for ceiling fans revised.
• October: 50% of the top U.S. homebuilders participate in ENERGY STAR for New Homes.

2002

• January: ENERGY STAR label for Telephony announced.
• January: ENERGY STAR specifications for light commercial central air conditioning/air source heat pump (CAC/ASHP) revised.
• April: ENERGY STAR specifications for Residential Light Fixture (RLF) revised.
• April: ENERGY STAR label extended to hotels that perform in the top 25% of the market.
• May: More than 100,000 new homes have earned the ENERGY STAR label for superior energy performance.
• June: First ENERGY STAR Cool Change campaign launched.
• July: ENERGY STAR specifications for TV/VCR revised.
• August: Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator released to estimate how much energy-efficient equipment can be purchased from anticipated energy savings.
• September: EPA, HUD, and DOE sign Joint Partnership to promote ENERGY STAR in HUD housing.
• November: First annual ENERGY STAR Home Electronics Holiday Campaign launched.
• October: ENERGY STAR specifications for Residential CAC/ASHP revised.
• December: Americans have purchased more than one billion ENERGY STAR qualified products.
• December: Nearly 1,100 buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR label.
• December: Study conducted by the New Buildings Institute confirms EPA’s energy performance rating system accurately accounts for changes in energy use related to installation of energy efficiency measure.

2001

• January: ENERGY STAR label for set-top boxes and residential dehumidifiers introduced.
• February: First Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program in New York.
• June: ENERGY STAR specifications for ventilation fans and commercial washing machines announced.
• July: ENERGY STAR label extended to supermarkets and grocery stores that perform in the top 25% of the market.
• July: U.S. and Canada announce agreement to partner on ENERGY STAR.
• August: ENERGY STAR specifications for ceiling fans and small commercial heating and cooling equipment announced.
• September: ENERGY STAR specifications for commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers available.
• November: EPA and ENERGY STAR launch a national public awareness campaign called Change to encourage Americans to help protect the environment by changing to energy-efficient products and practices.
• November: ENERGY STAR label extended to acute care hospitals that perform in the top 25% of the market.

2000

• April: ENERGY STAR label extended to schools that perform in the top 25% of the market.
• June: US Army and Navy housing procurement specifications comply with ENERGY STAR qualifications for new homes.
• October: First annual Change a Light fall lighting promotion launched.
• October: ENERGY STAR qualified water coolers introduced.
• November: ENERGY STAR qualified traffic signals announced.
• November: ENERGY STAR offers the Home Improvement Toolbox to make it easy for homeowners to incorporate ENERGY STAR into their home improvement or repair projects.
• November: Portfolio Manager, an energy tracking and management tool for buildings, released.

1999

• January: ENERGY STAR program requirements for consumer audio and DVD equipment announced.
• February: ENERGY STAR label for roof products introduced.
• June: ENERGY STAR label extended to office buildings that perform in the top 25% of the market.
• August: ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) added.

1998

• January: ENERGY STAR qualified TVs and VCRs announced.
• March: ENERGY STAR qualified windows added.

1997

• March: ENERGY STAR specifications for residential light fixtures, multifunction devices, and scanners announced.
• July: ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers announced.
• December: ENERGY STAR qualified homes expands to include manufactured homes.

1996

• June: EPA and DOE announce their ENERGY STAR partnership. Exit signs, insulation, and boilers added to the list of qualified product categories.
• October: ENERGY STAR label for appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators and room air conditioners announced.
• December: Several national lenders offer ENERGY STAR mortgages to purchase qualified new homes.

1995

• March: ENERGY STAR for buildings launched to help businesses simultaneously improve their energy performance and increase their bottom line. Green Lights merges with ENERGY STAR for buildings.
• April: EPA introduces ENERGY STAR specifications for copiers, transformers, and residential heating and cooling products, including air-source heat pumps, central air conditioners, furnaces, gas-fired heat pumps, and programmable thermostats. (Note: the label was removed from gas-fired heat pumps in April 2000 because of product unavailability.)
• October: EPA launches ENERGY STAR qualified new homes that are 30% more efficient than the model energy code.

1994

• October: ENERGY STAR qualified fax machines introduced.

1993

• January: ENERGY STAR qualified printers introduced.

1992

• June: EPA introduces the first ENERGY STAR qualified product line, including personal computers and monitors.

1991

• January: EPA introduces the Green Lights Program, a partnership program designed to promote efficient lighting systems in commercial and industrial buildings (to be integrated into ENERGY STAR by the end of the decade).

2011 ENERGY STAR Award Applications Now Available

Each year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency.

All organizations participating in the ENERGY STAR program are encouraged to apply for a 2011 ENERGY STAR Award. To be considered, an organization must meet the specific eligibility requirements in the award application and submit a complete online application package by 8 pm EST, December 3, 2010.**

Award Applications:

Partner of the Year

• Energy Management PDF (85KB) | Word
• New Home Builder PDF (43KB) | Word
• Home Energy Rater PDF (41KB) | Word
• Product Manufacturer PDF (40KB) | Word
• Program Delivery PDF (47KB) | Word
• Retailer PDF (49KB) | Word
• Service and Product Provider PDF (61KB) | Word

Excellence Awards

• Affordable Housing PDF (41KB) | Word
• ENERGY STAR Promotion PDF (49KB) | Word
• Lighting Retailer or Showroom PDF (46KB) | Word

** The 2011 ENERGY STAR Award applications must be submitted electronically through your “My ENERGY STAR Account” (www.energystar.gov/mesa). The electronic system will be available November 1, 2010. If you do not have an ENERGY STAR account, call the ENERGY STAR Hotline at 888-782-7937 to have one created.

For questions on the 2011 Awards, email awards@enerystar.gov.

Take a tour of the 2010 ENERGY STAR Awards.

ENERGY STAR Partners

ENERGY STAR works with more than 17,000 public and private sector organizations to improve the energy and financial performance of their business, manufacture products to meet ENERGY STAR specifications, sell ENERGY STAR labeled products to meet consumer demand for more environmentally friendly choices on store shelves, promote ENERGY STAR qualified products or homes as a utility or state funds administrator, build ENERGY STAR qualified homes that save homeowners 30% on their energy bills every year and offer better comfort and health, increased quality, and a return on investment.

View a list of our partners

Home Improvement: Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with ENERGY STAR