Energy Star Certification - What is it and what is it for?

What is the Energy Star certificate?

Energy Starcertification is a label awarded to products that meet rigorous energy efficiency standards. This blue seal allows consumers to identify and choose products that, without sacrificing functionality, are more energy efficient .

How does Energy Star contribute to the environment ?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) created the Energy Star program to reduce air pollution and protect the environment by promoting a market for energy-efficient products and solutions that deliver the same performance. By consuming less energy to perform the same tasks, emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants are reduced. Energy Star has helped reduce more than 5% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.

What are the key areas and how do you achieve certification ?

Products
To be Energy Star certified, manufacturers must first sign an agreement with the EPA. Also, a product must undergo rigorous testing in accredited laboratories to verify that it meets established energy efficiency standards.

All manufacturers wishing to obtain this label must submit their products to these tests and meet the energy consumption requirements under standard conditions of use independently to ensure that they actually consume less energy without losing quality.

Houses
New homes must pass inspections made by experts who do not work for the builder, providing veracity and an independent point of view that allows the transparency of the studies and analysis.

• In homes built on site, this review is done by an external company approved by the EPA.

• In manufactured homes, the check is done by a professional called a "Plant Certifier," supervised by a quality assurance provider that is also EPA-approved.

Commercial buildings
Must score 75 or higher in energy efficiency, which means they consume less energy than 75% of similar buildings in the U.S. In addition, an engineer or architect must review all data and verify that the building also meets good indoor air quality conditions.

Industrial plants
Like buildings, they must achieve a score of 75 or higher to demonstrate that they are among the most efficient in the country. A professional engineer verifies that all data is correct.

What are the benefits of Energy Star?

• Savings: This is one of the most prominent benefits. It is not only a financial savings, but also an energy savings. Energy Star-certified products are designed to be more efficient, which translates into lower energy consumption and, consequently, lower bills.
• High quality and increased durability: Obtaining this label is not a simple process: products must meet strict quality standards. This guarantees not only their efficiency, but also their durability, making the purchase a long-term investment.
• Benefits for the planet: Lower energy consumption means a reduction in polluting emissions, which has a positive impact on the environment. In addition, for companies, opting for more sustainable products can strengthen their reputation by demonstrating a real commitment to the planet.

At Nordy, we believe that energy efficiency starts with every little decision, from the appliance you choose to the energy that powers your home or business. Opting for Energy Star-certified products is a big step, but making the leap to 100% renewable energy reinforces that commitment. That's why we make it easy for you: we offer you clean electricity so that all your household consumption contributes to a more sustainable future for everyone.

If you want to know more, we invite you to visit our blog to keep up to date with all the latest energy efficient news.

Contact us to take the step to clean energy.