Nowadays, energy efficiency has become a top priority. With the growing problems with energy resources and without widespread solar panels use, people need to pay thousands of dollars to keep their homes warm and bright. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the Energy Star program to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient products. It helps consumers identify products that are energy-efficient and cost-effective. Let’s find out what products are available and how they can help us.
What Are Energy Star Labels?
As you can guess from the title, such star labels are a certification that products have met specific energy efficiency requirements set by the EPA. You can find them on a wide range of products, including:
- Appliances;
- Windows;
- Electronics;
- Lighting;
- And even homes.
Why is it important? EPA introduced these stars for Greenpeace members and fans to “show off.” They help consumers save money and protect the environment by promoting energy efficiency.
How Do Those Labels Work?
The Energy Star program sets energy efficiency requirements for each type of product that can earn the label. These requirements are based on a product’s energy consumption, performance, and other features. Manufacturers must adapt their production to meet these requirements. In other circumstances, they will create high-quality products that may be great but need to be more energy efficient. If you want to make your residential windows replacement more energy-efficient yourself, read one of our previous articles.
How Much Do Energy Star Products Cost?
One of the biggest concerns about Energy Star products is their cost. Due to the difficulty of their production, manufacturers spend more resources on them. As a result, they may cost more upfront than non-certified products, but they can save you money in the long run. Energy Star-certified products use less energy than non-certified products, which means lower energy bills and more money in your pocket over time.
What Are the Benefits of Energy Star Labels?
Despite the apparent benefits that we mentioned before, like energy efficiency that saves money on electricity bills, there are several more benefits, including:
Environmental Protection
There is nothing more important than climate change today. You may not notice it, but the weather slowly becomes hotter, glaciers are melting, Armageddon is getting closer… So, certified products with the Energy Star label help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment, making it breezier to live and slowing down the inevitable.
Higher Quality
Skilled manufacturers test Energy Star-certified products to ensure they meet strict energy efficiency requirements, which means they are high-quality and reliable.
Rebates and Incentives
It is more like a nice bonus than a full benefit, but many states offer special promotions and discounts for purchasing Energy Star-certified products.
Resale Value
If there is a chance that you’ll want to say goodbye to your energy-efficient products for some reason, another pleasant surprise will wait for you. Energy Star-certified homes and appliances have a higher resale value, making them a perfect investment.
Why Energy Star Ratings Were Invented?
Specialists use Energy Star energy ratings to measure and compare the energy efficiency of different products. They help consumers make informed decisions about the products they purchase. Energy Star ratings for windows kamloops take into account several factors. Let’s look at them closer.
U-Factor
The U-factor measures the rate of heat transfer through a material. The lower the U-factor, the better the material insulates. Energy Star windows, for example, have a U-factor of 0.27 or less. This means that engineers designed Energy Star-certified windows to keep the heat inside your home during the winter and outside during the summer.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
It measures how well a product blocks heat from the sun. The lower, the better. Energy Star windows have an SHGC of 0.25 or less. They block out the sun’s heat during the summer, which can help save on air conditioning costs.
Visible Transmittance
This factor measures the amount of visible light that passes through a product. Energy Star-certified windows have a high VT allowing more natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting, and saving on energy costs.
Air Leakage
Yes, even the amount of air that passes through a product can be measured. Scientists made Energy Star-certified windows more airtight to reduce drafts and save on heating and cooling costs.
Condensation Resistance Factor
Finally, the last factor measures a product’s ability to resist condensation. And, of course, your new Energy Star-labeled windows have high water resistance to prevent damage to your home and reduce the risk of mould growth.
Energy Star Ratings for Appliances
In addition to energy ratings for windows pickering, Energy Star also provides appliance requirements. These ratings take into account factors such as:
- Energy consumption;
- Water usage;
- Performance.
An Energy Star-certified refrigerator uses 15% less energy than a non-certified model, saving you up to $80 over its lifetime. An Energy Star-certified washing machine, in turn, uses 25% less energy and 33% less water than a non-certified model, saving you up to $45 per year on your energy bill.
Homes Energy Star Ratings
Energy Star also provides energy ratings for homes. To earn it, a home must meet strict energy efficiency requirements, which take into account factors such as:
- Insulation;
- Air sealing;
- Heating and cooling systems;
- Appliances.
Energy Star-certified homes are 20-30% more energy-efficient than traditional homes, which saves you up to $200 per year on your energy bill. What is more, they have a special windows warranty.
Bottom line
What can we say? Energy Star labels are worth it. They help consumers save money, protect the environment, and promote high-quality products. While Energy Star-certified products may cost more upfront, the long-term savings are worth the investment, after all. Furthermore, next time you’re shopping for appliances, electronics, or even a new home, look for the Energy Star label and start enjoying the benefits of energy efficiency.
