Written by: Sierra Club SC-ACTION #37, VOL. III DEFENDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDAEPA's Energy Star Label Can Cut Pollution, Save Money
Wouldn't you like a clear, simple way to figure out what refrigerator, dishwasher, or computer is friendliest to the environment?
Well, you're in luck. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have developed a new labeling program that will help households save energy and curb global warming. The label is called "Energy Star" and is found on appliances and products that meet high energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA or DOE.
Energy Star labels are placed on more efficient home appliances such as thermostats, washing machines, TVs, VCRs, home office equipment, and residential lighting. Each appliance achieves efficiency in its own way. For example, computers and copiers power down or go to sleep when left on, and TVs and VCRs use new circuitry to cut energy consumption while they are off.
Energy Star appliances could save the average American household about $400 a year on electricity costs. Using less electricity means less fossil fuel burned to produce that energy. The pollution savings from equipping a single household with Energy Star labeled products can be the equivalent of taking a car off the road for seven years.
The savings add up. An example of home energy waste: a personal computer and monitor left on for 3 hours per day would use 155 kilowatt hours (kwh) per year. This would cause 220lbs of CO2 to be emitted per year. (That's because the average US utility emits .65 kilograms of CO2 per kwh. So, 155 kwh X 0.65 kg CO2/kwh = 100 kg/year = 220 lbs CO2/year.)
To find out more about the Energy Star program call the toll-free Energy Star Hotline at 1-888-STAR-YES or visit the Energy Star Website at www.energystar.gov.
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