Add Blue and Yellow: Get Green

Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project

Two key elements to look for when you shop for an energy efficient appliance: the blue ENERGY STAR® logo and the yellow EnergyGuide label.

ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances use 10–50% less energy and/or water than their counterparts. ENERGY STAR® is not a brand name— it is a program of the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. To earn the ENERGY STAR®, a product must meet or exceed the minimum standards of energy efficiency which assist money savings and environmental protection.

Currently, only the following appliance types have
ENERGY STAR® guidelines:

• Clothes washers
• Dehumidifiers
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Room air-conditioners
• Room air cleaners

On the standardized EnergyGuide label, manufacturers of these and many other appliance types must provide potential buyers information regarding products' energy consumption. It helps consumers more easily compare energy efficiency among similar products.

The Federal Trade Commision's Appliance Labeling Rule requires EnergyGuide labels on any new product in these lines:

• Refrigerators and freezers
• Dishwashers
• Clothes washers
• Air conditioners
• Water heaters (some types)
• Heat pumps
• Furnaces
• Lighting products
• Plumbing products

EnergyGuide labels show:

1. The energy consumption or efficiency rating
2. A “range of comparability” indicating the highest/lowest energy consumption for similar models
3. Estimated annual operating cost

Remember, the EnergyGuide labels won't tell you the best appliance to buy, but they provide a lot of information to help your decision making. Make sure you compare similar models with similar capacities.

To learn more about Energy Efficient Appliances, click here to download this pdf fact sheet from theUniversity of Florida / IFAS.