The Energy Star program in the United States is intended to alert consumers about the most energy efficient products. This label frequently makes a product more likely to sell as they often save consumers money due to the efficiency level. Various products carry these labels, including windows, computers and televisions.
The Energy Department of the United States and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) share responsibility in maintaining the program. Recently, the Energy Department determined that many of the products were not being accurately tracked and were not meeting the Energy Star standards. Some products currently on the market labeled with Energy Star labels are therefore not actually as efficient as they claim.
Some products are not involved in the issue, including L.E.D. and fluorescent lights and windows. These products are required by the Energy Department to have independent laboratories test the products to assure Energy Star labels are properly attained.
However, some products are able to be tested and certified by the very companies which sell the products. These products include washing machines, dishwashers, air conditioners, refrigerators and water heaters. The agency also indicated that computers and televisions were a likely problem due to the lack of proper tracking of the products by the agency.
On September 30th of the this year, the EPA and the Energy Department are said to have agreed to a memorandum regarding the fixing of the current Energy Star problems. The memorandum is expected to require all products under the Energy Star program to require independent laboratory tests. In addition, more products will be added to the Energy Star program.
