Energy Star (trademarked ENERGY STAR) is an energy-efficiency program started in 1992. It is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) together with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The EPA sets energy efficiency standards, and products that meet these standards can display the Energy Star logo.
More than 75 product types qualify for the Energy Star label, such as appliances, electronics, lighting, heating and cooling systems, and commercial equipment like food service items. In the United States, the Energy Star label is often shown with the EnergyGuide label on eligible appliances to help compare energy use and operating costs.
This program is one of the most successful voluntary efforts by the U.S. government. It has saved 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, more than US$500 billion in energy costs, and prevented 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Parts of the Energy Star program are used in Canada, Japan, and Switzerland. In 2018, a 15-year agreement with the European Union ended, as did a previous agreement with the European Free Trade Association.
History
The Energy Star program was created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992. It follows the rules of the Clean Air Act, section 103(g), and the 2005 Energy Policy Act, section 131, which updated the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, section 324. Since 1992, Energy Star and its partners have helped save at least $430 billion in energy costs.
The EPA oversees Energy Star products, as well as programs for homes and businesses. The EPA also manages Energy Star Portfolio Manager, an online tool that helps track and compare energy use in commercial buildings. The Department of Energy (DOE) manages Home Performance with Energy Star and provides technical help, including creating tests for products and verifying their performance.
Energy Star began as a voluntary program to label energy-efficient products. It started with labels for computers and their parts. In 1995, the program expanded to include labels for heating and cooling systems and new homes. In 2000, the Consortium for Energy Efficiency was asked to conduct an annual survey to measure the program’s impact.
In March 2010, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) secretly tested the Energy Star certification process. They found that the program relied mostly on self-certification, which could be open to fraud. However, they found no evidence that Energy Star products were of poor quality or did not work as claimed. In response, the EPA began requiring third-party certification for all Energy Star products starting in 2011. This means products must be tested in EPA-approved labs and reviewed by EPA-approved certification groups before receiving the label. These labs and groups must meet specific standards and be monitored by an approved accreditation body. Each year, a portion of Energy Star-certified products in every category is tested randomly to ensure compliance.
According to the U.S. Energy and Employment Report for 2016, 290,000 workers in the United States are involved in making Energy Star-certified products and building materials. The report also predicted that jobs in energy efficiency would grow faster than other energy jobs—9% in 2017 compared to 5% for the entire energy sector—and that Energy Star would play a major role in this growth.
As of 2017, there were 23 independent certification groups and 255 independent labs approved for Energy Star product testing. Most of these groups and labs handle multiple types of products. In 2016, 1,881 product models were tested, with 95% meeting Energy Star requirements.
In March 2017, the Trump Administration proposed ending the Energy Star program. This led to strong support from environmental groups, energy efficiency advocates, and businesses.
In May 2025, leaks from an EPA meeting revealed plans to close offices managing the Energy Star program. Some critics argue that the program saves U.S. citizens $40 billion in energy costs each year while costing the government $32 million. The program was funded in a 2026 budget bill with support from both political parties.
In March 2026, the government announced plans to move the Energy Star program from the EPA to the Department of Energy.
Specifications
Energy Star rules change for different products and are set by the EPA.
Energy Star 4.0 rules for computers started on July 20, 2007. These rules are stricter than earlier rules. Older computers must be tested again to keep the Energy Star label. They need power supplies that meet the 80 Plus Bronze level or higher. Energy Star 5.0 started on July 1, 2009. Energy Star 6.1 started on September 10, 2014. Energy Star 7.1 started on November 16, 2018. The Version 8.0 rules for computers were finalized on October 15, 2019 and started on October 15, 2020.
The EPA released Version 1.0 of the Computer Server rules on May 15, 2009. This covered servers with one to four processor sockets. A second tier of rules added requirements for power use and performance reporting for all servers, including blade and multi-node servers. These rules started on December 16, 2013. Version 2.0 of the Energy Star rules for Computer Servers started on December 16, 2013. Version 3.0 of the Energy Star rules for Enterprise Servers started on June 17, 2019.
In early 2008, refrigerators needed 20% energy savings over the minimum standard. Dishwashers needed at least 41% savings. Most appliances and heating and cooling systems have a yellow EnergyGuide label. This label shows the yearly cost of using the appliance compared to others. The label is made by the Federal Trade Commission and often shows if an appliance has the Energy Star label. While an Energy Star label means the appliance is more efficient than the minimum rules, it does not always mean it is the most efficient option. For example, dehumidifiers that remove less than 25 US pints (12 L) of water daily get the Energy Star label if they have an energy factor of 1.2 or higher. Those removing 25 to 35 US pints (12 to 17 L) daily need an energy factor of 1.4 or higher. A larger dehumidifier without the Energy Star label might be more efficient than a smaller one with the label. The Energy Star savings calculator has been criticized for using unrealistic assumptions that make savings seem larger than they are.
The EPA and DOE have not yet considered how energy-saving rules might affect the lifespan or durability of appliances. For example, refrigerators can be made more efficient with better insulation and smaller compressors. However, this might reduce storage space or shorten the appliance’s lifespan due to compressor or electronic failures. Electronic controls in new appliances can be damaged by shocks, vibrations, moisture, or power spikes. Critics say that even if an appliance is efficient, it may still cause waste if it breaks more often than older models.
Energy Star qualified heating and cooling systems, like heat pumps, boilers, and furnaces, are available. Air sealing and duct sealing can lower cooling and heating bills. Air sealing reduces outside air entering a building. Duct sealing stops attic or basement air from entering ducts, which improves the heating/cooling system’s efficiency. Energy Star qualified room air conditioners use at least 10% less energy than the minimum U.S. federal standards.
Energy Star qualified televisions use 30% less energy than average. In November 2008, rules for televisions were updated to limit power use when the TV is on and when it is in standby mode. Standby power for televisions must be 3 watts or less. More Energy Star qualified televisions will be available.
Other qualified home electronics include cordless phones, battery chargers, VCRs, and external power adapters. These use 90% less energy than non-qualified models.
Energy Star rules for imaging products, such as printers, copiers, and multifunctional devices, focus on how much energy they use. Energy use is measured and compared to limits based on the device’s speed. For example, devices with extra features like Ethernet or wireless are tested with these features included. Starting February 1, 2011, all Energy Star registered products must be tested by an accredited laboratory.
Energy Star bulbs meet strict rules for efficiency, quality, and lifespan. Energy Star qualified fluorescent lights use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer than regular incandescent lights.
Energy Star qualified LED lights:
– Use 20–25% of the electricity of incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. They use 25–30% of the electricity of halogen bulbs and last 8–25 times longer.
– Produce very little heat, reducing cooling costs.
To qualify for Energy Star certification, LED lights must meet these standards:
– Brightness is equal to or better than other lighting types, and light is spread evenly.
– Light output stays the same over time, only decreasing near the end of their lifespan (at least 35,000 hours or 12 years with 8 hours of daily use).
– Light appears clear and consistent over time.
– Efficiency is as good as or better than fluorescent lighting.
– Light turns on instantly when powered on.
– No flickering when dimmed.
– No power use when turned off, except for external controls, which must use no more than 0.5 watts.
New homes or apartments with the Energy Star label meet energy efficiency rules set by the EPA. These homes are at least 10% more efficient than homes built to code and average 20% more efficient. They provide better quality, performance, and comfort. Nearly 1.9 million homes and apartments have the Energy Star label. These homes include systems for insulation, heating, cooling, water use, and energy-efficient lighting and appliances. In 2016, homeowners in these homes saved $360 million on energy bills. In 2020, Energy Star separated single-family and multifamily homes into separate programs: Single-Family New Construction (
Energy performance ratings
The Energy Star program has created energy performance rating systems for many types of commercial and institutional buildings and manufacturing facilities. These ratings, which range from 1 to 100, help compare the energy efficiency of buildings and industrial plants to similar facilities. Building and energy managers use these ratings to assess how well existing buildings and industrial plants use energy. The rating systems are also used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to decide if a building or plant qualifies for Energy Star recognition. In 2020, Energy Star released an updated guide to help verify Energy Star certifications.
Energy Star ratings have been compared to other clean energy rating systems and green building certification systems, such as those created by independent firms like MiQ or LEED certifications for office buildings.
The number of building types that can receive an energy performance rating in Portfolio Manager is growing. These include housing, bank and financial institutions, courthouses, hospitals, hotels and motels, houses of worship, K-12 schools, medical offices, offices, residence halls, retail stores, supermarkets, warehouses, data centers, senior care facilities, and wastewater facilities.
The models used in the rating system explain the methods used to create energy performance ratings, including details about rating goals, data analysis techniques, and steps to calculate a rating. Energy Star provides a free online tool that uses building characteristics, such as floor area, occupancy, and energy use, to create a 1–100 national benchmarking rating for buildings.
Energy Star energy performance ratings are included in some green building standards, such as LEED for Existing Buildings. In the United States, builders of energy-efficient homes may qualify for federal income tax credits and deductions.
In 2020, Energy Star estimated that energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions, costing more than $100 billion each year.
Examples of specialized industrial facilities with Energy Star-specific performance ratings include:
• Automobile assembly plants
• Cement plants
• Corn mills
• Container glass manufacturing
• Flat glass manufacturing
• Potato processing plants
• Juice processing
• Petroleum refineries
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing plants
Adoption in building codes
The current and projected status of energy codes and standards adoption is shown in the maps at the link.
The following cities have mandatory reporting requirements.
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Minneapolis, MN
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC