**Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR Campaign Overview**

Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR is a national campaign from the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encouraging all Americans to
join with millions of others and take small steps that make a big
difference in the fight against global warming.

**Pledging to Help our Environment**

-   The cornerstone of this campaign is the ENERGY STAR pledge. This
    pledge builds on the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge and
    challenges people to "do more" to help fight global warming by
    making energy-efficient choices at home and at work. If every
    American household took part in the pledge, we would save more than
    110 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, more than \$18 billion in
    annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the
    emissions of more than 18 million cars.

-   The energy used in the average house can cause twice the greenhouse
    gas emissions as the average car. Make a difference by saving energy
    at home and work---start by changing a light, and then think about
    bringing energy savings to the rest of your home or workplace!

-   Most power plants burn fossil fuels to make electricity. By using
    less energy, you can reduce the amount of fossil fuels being burned,
    which means less of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global
    warming.

**Be Part of the Solution**

-   Most people want to protect our environment, but many don't know
    where to start. Choosing ENERGY STAR qualified products and
    energy-saving practices is a simple way to save money, energy, and
    time, while helping to keep our planet a healthy place to live.

-   Every product or practice changed is a step in the right direction.
    From changing a light to enabling computers to power down while not
    in use to using a programmable thermostat correctly when at home,
    asleep, and away, to choosing ENERGY STAR qualified products when
    making a new purchase, these simple, everyday actions can change the
    world.

-   Take EPA's ENERGY STAR Pledge at
    [energystar.gov/changetheworld]{.underline} and join with millions
    of others in using products and practices that save energy, save
    money, and protect the environment. Together, we can all make a
    difference.

-   Organizations can help get the word out to employees, customers, and
    members. Beginning in fall 2008, organizations will also be able to
    join the campaign as pledge drivers, track their results, and then
    demonstrate the difference their participation is making to preserve
    our nation's energy resources and fight global warming.

-   Products that earn the ENERGY STAR reduce greenhouse gas emissions
    by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S.
    Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

**Campaign Background**

-   Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR builds on the success of
    the ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign, which
    inspired more than a million Americans to make simple changes in
    their home, starting with changing a light. Now ENERGY STAR is
    asking Americans to join the fight against global warming by
    pledging to try new actions at home and work, and then share their
    story to inspire others.

-   The campaign launched on Earth Day 2008 with a new campaign page on
    energystar.gov with stories from everyday Americans who are saving
    energy, and a new expanded pledge that provides consumers with
    additional actions they can take to reduce energy use, save money,
    and join the fight against global warming with ENERGY STAR.

**MORE INFORMATION ON STEPS INCLUDED IN THE PLEDGE**

**ENERGY STAR Qualified Lighting**

-   If every home in the U.S. replaced just one light with an ENERGY
    STAR light, we would save enough energy to light about 3 million
    homes for a year, save more than \$600 million in annual energy
    costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per
    year, equivalent to the emissions of about 800,000 cars.

-   An ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb can save about \$30 or more in
    electricity costs over its lifetime and prevent 450 pounds of
    greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime---the equivalent of
    keeping more than 200 pounds of coal from being burned--- compared
    to using an incandescent bulb.

-   ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are
    available in different sizes and shapes, including mini-spiral,
    spiral, and A-line, which fit in almost any fixture.

-   ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than
    standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

-   Wondering where to get the most energy savings? Replace light bulbs
    (or entire fixtures) where lights are typically left on the longest,
    such as your family and living room, kitchen, dining room, and
    porch. Place bulbs in open fixtures that allow air flow and, if
    replacing a bulb operating on a dimmer switch, look for bulbs
    specifically designed for this use.

-   ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures come in hundreds of popular
    styles, including portable fixtures---such as table, desk, floor,
    and torchiere lamps---and hard-wired fixtures such as outdoor,
    cabinet, suspended, ceiling-mount, wall-mount, and more.

**CFLs and Mercury**

-   CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass
    tubing---an average of 4 milligrams per light bulb. No mercury is
    released when the bulbs are intact or in use. By comparison, CFLs
    contain about 1/100th of the mercury that older thermometers
    contain.

-   Coal-burning power plants are the single largest source of
    human-caused mercury emissions in the United States, contributing to
    more than 40 percent of all emissions. Because CFLs use 75 percent
    less energy than the incandescent bulbs they replace, they help to
    reduce net mercury emissions by requiring less coal to be burned at
    these plants.

**Heating and Cooling**

-   If every American household serviced their heating and cooling
    systems, inspected their ducts for leaks and programmed their
    thermostats for energy savings while they're away or asleep, we
    would save more than \$14 billion in annual energy costs while
    preventing 160 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, equivalent to the
    emissions of 14 million cars.

-   Since nearly half of annual home energy costs goes to heating and
    cooling, making smart decisions about your home's HVAC system can
    have a big effect on your utility bills as well as your comfort.
    Proper installation and use of ENERGY STAR qualified heating and
    cooling equipment can cut your energy bill by nearly \$200 per year.

-   Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling system
    failure. One of the most important steps you can take to prevent
    future problems and unwanted costs is proper maintenance. To ensure
    heating and cooling systems are at peak performance, clean or
    replace the air filter about once every month, three months being
    the maximum. Also have a contractor visit during the spring or fall
    to check your heating and cooling system.

-   Ducts circulate heated or cooled air evenly to every room in a
    house. Poorly performing ducts can leak conditioned air and reduce
    your system's efficiency by as much as 20 percent, causing it to
    work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Sealing
    ducts helps to properly and efficiently circulate air.

**Programmable Thermostats**

-   An easy way to save energy, save money, and fight global warming is
    to purchase and properly install an ENERGY STAR qualified
    programmable thermostat. With proper use, ENERGY STAR qualified
    programmable thermostats can save you about \$180 every year in
    energy costs. Visit energystar.gov/pts to learn how to set your
    thermostat, and save! It's simple.

-   Qualified programmable thermostats are shipped with a default
    energy-saving program. In addition to their standard features,
    qualified programmable thermostats may also offer "hold" or
    "vacation" features, indicators that tell you when it's time to
    change air filters, and indicators that signal malfunctioning of
    heating or cooling systems to help you stay on track for maintaining
    your equipment.

**Seal and Insulate**

-   Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR is a set of recommended steps for
    improving the home "envelope." The exterior of the home, or the
    "envelope," is made up of the outer walls, ceiling, windows, and
    floor. It is common to find both old and new homes that have poorly
    performing "envelopes"---that is, they have drafty air leaks and are
    poorly insulated. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can
    increase your home's overall comfort, as well as reduce heating and
    cooling bills. Caulk, spray foam, and weather stripping are the most
    common materials used for air sealing.

-   The average U.S. household spends more than \$2,000 annually on
    utility bills, with heating and cooling accounting for as much as
    half of a home's yearly energy costs. Sealing air leaks and adding
    insulation with guidance from ENERGY STAR can reduce the overall
    home energy bill by up to 10 percent, or about \$200.

-   Whether you do it yourself or have a contractor work on your home,
    the benefits of using the Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR
    guidance include:

    -   Improved comfort---especially during periods of hot or cold
        weather

    -   Lower energy use (lower energy bills)

    -   A quieter home due to less noise entering from outside

    -   Fewer holes where pollen, dust, pollution, and insects can enter
        your home

    -   Improved durability of the building structure through the
        reduced movement of moist air.

**ENERGY STAR Qualified** **Home Office Equipment**

-   If each desktop and monitor in U.S. homes was to sleep when not in
    use, we would save \$1 billion in annual energy costs while
    preventing more than 15 billion pounds of greenhouse gases,
    equivalent to the emissions of 1 million cars.

-   If every home office product purchased in the U.S. this year were
    ENERGY STAR qualified, we would save \$200 million in annual energy
    costs while preventing almost 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gases,
    equivalent to the emissions of 250,000 cars.

-   When considering additions to your home office, purchasing ENERGY
    STAR qualified products for all your equipment needs can save you
    money, energy, and help fight global warming. A typical home office
    furnished with a desktop computer, LCD monitor, printer and
    multifunctional device that meet the ENERGY STAR requirement is
    projected to save more than \$80 over the life of the products, and
    even more if you enable power management.

-   Copiers and fax machines are the most energy-intensive type of
    office equipment because they are left on for long periods of
    time---in some cases, 24 hours each day. ENERGY STAR qualified
    imaging equipment delivers the same performance as conventional
    equipment.

**Home Electronics**

-   If every TV, DVD player, and home theatre/audio system purchased in
    the United States this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would
    prevent more than 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per
    year. This is equivalent to the emissions of 300,000 cars.

-   As many as 1.5 billion external power adapters are in use in the
    United States---about five for every person. These external power
    supplies contribute to about 11 percent of the national electric
    bill. To help save energy, save money, and fight global warming,
    purchase ENERGY STAR qualified home electronics and external power
    supplies, and use power strips as a centralized turn-off point when
    you are finished using equipment.

-   ENERGY STAR qualifies all types of home electronic products like
    televisions, DVDs and VCR products, home audio, digital-to-analog
    (DTA) converter boxes, and more. You can make a complete ENERGY STAR
    qualified home theater system and save even more!

-   Starting in November 2008, a new and more stringent ENERGY STAR
    specification for TVs will be effective, which requires qualified
    televisions to save energy in both On mode and Standby mode. If all
    TVs sold in the United States met the ENERGY STAR requirements, the
    savings in energy costs would grow to about \$1 billion annually and
    greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of about
    1 million cars. Under the new specification, ENERGY STAR qualified
    televisions will be up to 30 percent more efficient than standard
    models. The ENERGY STAR label will be found on TVs of all shapes,
    sizes, and screen technologies.

-   A digital-to-analog (DTA) converter box is a device that converts
    digital television broadcast signals to analog signals. You will
    need a DTA by February 17, 2009 if you own an analog TV, do not
    subscribe to cable or satellite services, and rely solely on
    over-the-air broadcasts for your TV viewing. Look for the ENERGY
    STAR label when purchasing your DTA to save energy, save money, and
    help protect the environment.

**E-Cycling**

-   Old electronics are a fast-growing portion of America's waste. They
    can present an environmental hazard if they are disposed of
    improperly. With an average of four pounds of lead in many older TV
    picture tubes, along with other potentially hazardous materials,
    electronics call for special handling at the end of their lives.

-   Donating or recycling your outdated electronics encourages the safe
    management of their potentially hazardous components and supports
    the recovery and reuse of valuable materials. It also helps reduce
    the pollution and energy use tied to the production of new
    electronics. Finally, it can put a computer, TV, or cell phone in
    the hands of someone who needs it.

**ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances**

-   If every refrigerator, dishwasher, and clothes washer purchased in
    the U.S. this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent 4.5
    billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to
    the emissions of 370,000 cars.

-   ENERGY STAR qualified appliances have two price tags: what you pay
    to take it home and what you pay for the energy and water it uses.
    ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies
    that use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard
    models. The money you save on annual utility bills can more than
    make up for the cost of a more expensive but more efficient ENERGY
    STAR model.

**Clothes Washers**

-   Clothes washers that meet ENERGY STAR criteria reduce energy by
    about 30 percent and water consumption by more than 50 percent
    compared to regular washers. Many qualified clothes washers have a
    greater capacity than conventional models, which means fewer loads
    of laundry. Some washers can hold more than 20 pounds of laundry at
    once, while conventional models average 10 to 15 pounds. By
    dramatically reducing energy use and water consumption, these units
    can reduce annual utility bills by about \$50.

**Refrigerators**

-   In most households, the refrigerator is the single biggest
    energy-consuming kitchen appliance. To save energy, save money, and
    flight global warming, choose ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators,
    which are 20 percent more energy efficient than the minimum federal
    standard. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators use less energy than a
    60-watt light bulb that is run continuously. If everyone purchasing
    a refrigerator in 2008 chooses an ENERGY STAR qualified model,
    together we would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to
    those from about 120,000 cars.

**Dishwashers**

-   ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers are on average 20 percent more
    energy efficient than non-qualified models. To help your dishwasher
    run more efficiently:

    -   Run your dishwasher with a full load. Most of the energy used by
        a dishwasher goes to heat water. Since you can't decrease the
        amount of water used per cycle, fill your dishwasher to get the
        most from the energy used to run it.

    -   Avoid using the heat-dry, rinse-hold, and pre-rinse features.
        Instead use your dishwasher's air-dry option.