July 20, 2011—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have announced for the first time products recognized as the most energy efficient in their categories among those that have earned the Energy Star label. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy efficiency specifications set by the EPA. According to the EPA, last year alone, Americans saved $18 billion on their energy bills with the help of Energy Star while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to annual emissions of 33 million vehicles.
The new designation of “Most Efficient” aims to provide all manufacturers with an incentive for greater product energy efficiency while providing consumers new information about the products that comprise the top tier in the categories.
Products that receive the Most Efficient designation demonstrate exceptional and cutting-edge efficiency performance that environmentally minded consumers and early adopters value. The Most Efficient recognition will represent approximately the top five percent of models on the market in the following categories: clothes washers, heating and cooling equipment, televisions, and refrigerator-freezers. The following Energy Star partners’ products are among the first to be recognized as Most Efficient: Electrolux Major Appliances, Sears’ Kenmore, LG, Samsung, Best Buy’s Insignia Brand, Panasonic, Nordyne, and Rheem. Later this year, EPA will initiate a process to consider additional product categories for potential inclusion in 2012.
Consumers will be able to identify Most Efficient products on the Energy Star Web site and in stores by looking for the Most Efficient designation. In addition to meeting established performance requirements, products must also be Energy Star qualified and certified by an EPA-recognized certification body.
