(March 19, 2010) WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy today outlined a series of steps to further strengthen the trusted ENERGY STAR® program. This action comes at a critical time for American consumers, many of whom struggle to keep up with their monthly energy bills. In addition to third-party testing already underway, EPA and DOE have launched a new two-step process to expand testing of ENERGY STAR® qualified products. This week, DOE began testing of some of the most commonly used appliances, which account for more than 25% of a household’s energy bill, and both agencies are now developing a system to test all products that earn the ENERGY STAR label. The steps are part of an overall effort by the Obama Administration to improve the energy efficiency of homes and appliances to save families money.

“Energy efficiency is more important than ever to American families,” Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation said. “As our economy gets back on its feet, ENERGY STAR® is an easy way for consumers to save money and help fight climate change.”

“Consumers have long trusted the ENERGY STAR® brand for products that will save them energy and save them money,” said Cathy Zoi, DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “The steps we’re taking now will further strengthen and improve the program, building on the results that consumers have come to expect.”

Consumers can feel confident in ENERGY STAR because in 2009 alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR® saved enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 30 million cars — all while saving nearly $17 billion on their utility bills.

Taking Action: The Obama Administration Strengthens Testing and Enforcement

EPA and DOE are taking aggressive action to promote confidence in the ENERGY STAR® brand through both testing and enforcement.

Testing. The EPA and DOE have launched a two-step process to expand testing of ENERGY STAR® qualified products:

• DOE began tests this week on six of the most common product types: freezers, refrigerator-freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters and room air conditioners. These product types account for at least 25% of a typical homeowner’s energy bill. DOE will test approximately 200 basic models at third-party, independent test laboratories over the next few months.
• The EPA and DOE are also developing an expanded system that will require all products seeking the ENERGY STAR® label to be tested in approved labs and require manufacturers to participate in an ongoing verification testing program that will ensure continued compliance.

This article is taken from U.S. Department of Energy's Press Releases, please follow the link for more details: http://www.energy.gov/news/8775.htm, or visit the author's website at http://www.energy.gov.

Media contact(s):

DOE News Media Contact:
(202) 586-4940

EPA News Media Contact:
Enesta Jones - 202-564-7873
jones.enesta@epa.gov