Atlanta, Georgia – The Energy Star label is something consumers have all seen, but few understand what it actually means. Phil Montgomery, owner of Atlanta cooling and Heating, a full furnace service repair company, explains what the blue label means to homeowners.

Energy Star is the government endorsed energy efficient symbol that helps consumers save money while also protecting the environment. To earn the distinction, a product has to meet strict efficiency guidelines as set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Consumers who choose Energy Star products not only get products with optimized performance, but are also saving energy, which in turn saves them money.

Energy Star is a joint program of the Department of Energy and the Department of Environmental Protection and was established in 1992. It began as a voluntary program designed to promote energy efficient products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Computer equipment was the first labeled product, and in 1995 the label was extended to additional office equipment and residential heating and ac units. Consumers now see the label on most major appliances, in addition to electronics, lighting, office equipment and more. Categories include:

• Appliances such as washers and dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers
• HVAC equipment such as central air, programmable thermostats and furnaces
• Electronics such as televisions, DVD players and audio systems
• Office equipment such as computers, photocopiers and printers
• Commercial products such as vending machines and water coolers

Energy Star products reduce greenhouse gases and prevent harmful carbon pollution. The program was introduced to make it easy for consumers to choose energy efficient products that not only protect the environment, but save consumers money while doing it. It is estimated that in 2010 alone, the energy savings from using Energy Star rated products was close to $18 billion. And the greenhouse gas emissions saved equaled the equivalent of those produced by 33 million cars.

“Energy prices are a major concern for consumers,” says Montgomery, whose Atlanta company has been providing reliable air conditioning repair services for more than 40 years. “Consumers want to save money on their energy bills each month, without having to sacrifice the quality of the products they use. Energy Star helps make that a reality.”

Energy Star makes it easy for consumers to quickly identify energy efficient products. Not every consumer has the time to carefully investigate each of their purchases, but with the Energy Star label, homeowners can quickly and easily recognize the products that are better for the environment.
With over 60 product categories for both home and office use, the Energy Star label makes it easy for consumers to purchase products that will save them money, while performing the same or better than their less energy efficient counterparts.
Products earn the Energy Star label by meeting product specifications as determined by the EPA. These are set based on the following:

• Must contribute significant savings nationwide.
• Must deliver both performance and features consumers demand, while increasing energy efficiency.
• If the product is more expensive than its conventional counterpart, consumers must be able to make up the difference in energy savings within a reasonable amount of time.
• Energy efficiency must be achieved through non-proprietary technology that is produced and offered by more than one company.
• Energy consumption can be measured and verified.
• Labeling is visible and differentiates the product for consumers.

Energy Star labeled for Marietta cooling products are available nationwide. Different regions of the country have different efficiency requirements for furnaces and are labeled differently. Certified gas furnaces in the southern part of the United States are labeled with a special “U.S. South” Energy Star logo, while those in the north are labeled with the standard Energy Star logo.

Consumers can save nearly one third on their energy bill simply by using energy efficient products. In addition to these cost savings, homeowners will also significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they emit each year. Energy Star also provides homeowners and builders with home and building assessment tools that make it easy to save money and energy. When making home improvements or building a new home, consumers can take advantage of special resources the EPA offers to help reduce their energy bills without altering the comfort of the home.

Homeowners looking to replace existing appliances or heating and cooling units should always look for the Energy Star label. Not only is it better for the environment, it’s better for consumers’ wallets, too.

© 2013 Sinai Marketing and Atlanta Heating and Air Conditioning. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing and Atlanta Heating and Air Conditioning are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.