Posted on December 1, 2009 - by admin

Are Energy Star Ratings Reliable?

According to a recent article from the New York Post, an internal audit at the Energy Department has recently confirmed findings first reported by the consumer advocacy group Consumer Reports. Controversy is swirling around  the Departments’ Energy Star Ratings for consumer goods. Critics allege, (and Consumer Reports testing labs conclusively proved) that information provided by some manufacturers about their product’s energy usage doesn’t hold up in real-world applications. Some products energy useage during testing was as much as 40% higher than indicated on Energy Star labeling. Further, in some categories, Energy Star ratings are written in such broad terms as to be virtually all-inclusive. When every compact flourescent lightbulb, for example, qualifies for the Energy Star rating, there’s no real way for consumers to gauge the efficiency of competing products.

The Energy Department is currently reviewing standards and revisons are expected soon. But in the meanwhile, what is a consumer to do if Energy Star ratings are not to be trusted?

I have a few recommendations. For some products, like appliances, newer models are generally more energy efficient than older ones. One of the best ways a consumer can ensure they get the most bang for their energy bucks is to closely match their needs with the capabilities of the product in question. Don’t buy- or use- more product than you need. If you can use a toaster oven for your child’s chicken nuggets, why heat up a six burner professional quality range? If you’re a two person household whose professional wardrobe is mostly drycleaned, it makes no sense to run a large capacity commercial quality washer and dryer. Another upside to this strategy is that generally you will save money both on the purchase and the usage of the product.

Another tip is to do your homework. Learn about technologies and companies producing them when considering a purchase. Are there improvements on the horizon that would be worth waiting for? Talk to real people about their experiences with products you are considering. Go online and read reviews, and ask for real, local references from contractors. These are people whose useage of the product or system in question (replacement windows or HVAC systems for example) may closely mirror what you are likely to experience since they will be dealing with similar environmental conditions and energy bills.

Thirdly, consumers can do a simple study of their own habits and energy useage to determine where they can trim the fat so that they rely less on Energy Star ratings overall. Replacing a rooms worth of lightbulbs with compact flourescents; using rechargeable batteries in your kids’ christmas toys, sealing drafts throughout your home, driving less, keeping your thermostat lower, reducing your use of disposable consumer goods and unplugging all electronics when not in use can reduce your consumption and your carbon footprint more than buying only Energy Star certified products ever will. Common sense and conscious living can never be replaced by government labeling, no matter how stringent the standards.