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At the national level...
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced ENERGY
STAR® in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program to identify
products that are both energy-efficient and environmentally
friendly. Less energy use means eliminating billions of pounds
of greenhouse gases, the pollutant emitted by power plants.
Computers and monitors were the products labeled first; then,
other office equipment and heating/cooling systems. The US
Department of Energy (DOE) joined the partnership in 1995
and continued to extend the product line.
Today, consumers can select from more than 40 product categories
and thousands of models, including major appliances, lighting,
home electronics, products for new home construction, and
systems that support commercial and industrial buildings.
In fact, ENERGY STAR has been a driving force behind the more
widespread use of such technological innovations as LED traffic
lights, efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems
for office equipment, and low standby energy use.
ENERGY STAR 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 easily
move toward greater efficiency and cost savings.
Energy efficient choices can save families about a third
on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas
emissions -- all without sacrificing features, style, or comfort.
The resulting savings are already significant. In 2002 alone,
Americans saved enough energy to power 15 million homes and
avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from
14 million cars -- all while saving over $7 billion.
In the State of Maryland
 The
ENERGY STAR Program is managed by the Maryland Energy
Administration, in cooperation with Prince George’s Community
College.
A key component of the Maryland ENERGY STAR Program is consumer
awareness and education:
- For residential consumers to build awareness of state-of-the-art
technologies so they can make wise purchasing decisions,
and
- For retailers, builders, and contractors, so they can
learn about the comparable benefits of energy efficient
products and how they work in specific applications.
Currently the Maryland ENERGY STAR Program is:
- Running a state-wide marketing campaign -- including television,
radio, and print advertising to educate Marylanders about
the money saving and environmental benefits of purchasing
ENERGY STAR labeled products.
- Sponsoring point-of-purchase sales promotions and other
events so Marylanders can see and touch ENERGY STAR products
and see how they work and how to apply them in their homes.
- Participating in industry-related trade shows and workshops
for builders and contractors so they can see the “nuts
and bolts” of ENERGY STAR products in new home construction
and renovations.
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