What is Energy Star?
Energy Star is a program run by the U.S. government’s Environmental Protection Agency that is dedicated to helping consumers improve their energy efficiency. The program has many facets, but there are four main areas it addresses:
- Consumer products. Any new product that you might buy that uses electricity, from light bulbs to dryers, has an estimated energy usage guide on it. This guide is written by Energy Star and is intended to help consumers choose products that are the most efficient.
- Home improvement. Energy Star promotes improved home efficiency and provides consumers with a list of professional contractors for home remodeling projects that can evaluate and improve your home’s energy efficiency. Energy Star also created a point based system that allows you to rate your home’s energy efficiency and see how it measures up against other homes in your area.
- Home builders. Energy Star rates new home builders and recommends builders who adhere to green home building guidelines.
- Commercial and industrial buildings. Energy Star also provides guidelines, building contractor recommendations, and energy efficiency consultants for commercial and industrial buildings and construction.
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