Does the ENERGY STAR Label Have Value?

Categories: Building, Health & Safety, Energy, Air

Tagged: Energy, Energy Efficient, Energy Saving, Energy Star, EPA, Green Home, Green Living, Home Ventilating Institute, HVI, Saving Electricity

In a Consumer Reports October 2008 article, it was reported that ENERGY STAR programs, managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) have “lost some luster.” Energy consumption claims for some products were found to be inaccurate during recent Consumer Reports’ lab tests. Furthermore, some products’ EnergyGuide label considerably understated the energy consumption of what consumers are likely to experience with normal usage. The article also asserts that a disproportionate number of products are being sold with the ENERGY STAR label rating because the testing procedures are out-of-date and the standards are too lax. In other words, the ENERGY STAR label should be indicative of those products which are the cream-of-the-crop, but the lax standards allow even the run-of-the-mill products to qualify. To view the complete article, click here.

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In response to the attack, Kathleen Hogan, Director Climate Protection Partnerships Division, U.S. EPA, issued a letter to the Consumer Reports editor defending the ENERGY STAR programs and citing a presumed sixteen billion dollar savings to American consumers on their utility bills over the last fifteen years. You can view her letter on the ENERGY STAR Web site by clicking here.

Interestingly, neither the article nor the letter addressed the EPA's Residential Ventilating Fan Program specifically which is regrettable since this program is one of the few that the U.S. EPA could point to as a success story. The program requires products to be HVI-Certified in order to qualify for the ENERGY STAR rating and utilizes HVI’s comprehensive verification and challenge programs to actively and regularly “police” the industry.

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Does the ENERGY STAR Label Have Value?: Created on October 30th, 2008. Last Modified on January 18th, 2010

About The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI)

The mission of the non-profit Home Ventilating Institute (HVI), Wauconda IL, is serving consumers and HVI members by advancing residential ventilation for healthier living. HVI does this by providing consumer information, participating in building code activities, and maintaining an active forum for the ventilation industry to meet and discuss common issues. HVI is the leading name in residential ventilation product performance certification, providing the link between ventilation and healthy, energy efficient homes. Explore and sign up for The HVI Advantage, HVI's ventilation newsletter.

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