ENERGY STAR(R) is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Its purpose is to provide product ratings, and other information, to encourage consumers to purchase energy-efficient products and services.

The ENERGY STAR label can be granted to individual products, as well as entire houses. ENERGY STAR awards are also given to businesses that have made outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.

Products can earn the ENERGY STAR label by meeting the energy efficiency requirements set forth in ENERGY STAR product specifications. The guiding principles that determine a product's qualifications for the label are:

• Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide.
• Qualified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.
• If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through utility bill savings, within a reasonable period of time.
• Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.
• Product energy consumption and performance can be measured and verified with testing.
• Labeling would effectively differentiate products and be visible for purchasers.
• At http://energystar.supportportal.com/ics/support/splash.asp, consumers can find comprehensive lists of products that have qualified for the ENERGY STAR rating.

The EPA and DOE urge consumers to buy household products with the ENERGY STAR designation to reduce energy bills, and urges businesses to contact the EPA about the ENERGY STAR partnership that it offers.