MAINTAINING THE VALUE OF 

ENERGY STAR® 

2007 Report 

United States 

Environmental Protection 

Agency 
1
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

Executive Summary 

Introduction 4
 

Section I. Overview of ENERGY STAR program and trademarks 6
 

A. 	 Program background 6
 

B. 	 ENERGY STAR brand and marks 7
 

C.	 Maintaining trademark protection and program integrity 9
 

D. Current licensing agreements governing the use of ENERGY STAR 10
 

DOE Memorandum of Cooperation 10
 

International agreements with EPA governing use of ENERGY STAR 12
 

Partnership Agreement requirements by partner and category 12
 

Section II. Monitoring and ensuring appropriate use of ENERGY STAR 21
 

A. 	 Monitoring use and responding to possible misuse of ENERGY STAR in 
 

advertisements and on the Internet 21
 

Monitoring print advertisements monthly 22
 

Monitoring Internet and domain name use quarterly 23
 

Responding to potential trademark infringements and other complaints raised 
 

by consumers and third parties 23
 

Monitoring daily media 25
 

B. Assessing in-store use of ENERGY STAR 25
 

Section III. Verifying energy performance of ENERGY STAR products and homes 28
 

A.	 Qualification testing for products 28
 

Qualification testing requirements for products 28
 

B. Compliance Audit Program 	 33
 

EPA verification testing for products 33
 

Third-Party certification testing 38
 

Quality assurance testing for lighting products 38
 

EPA quality assurance testing for residential light fixtures (RLFs) 39
 

DOE quality assurance testing for CFLs 39
 

C.	 Product mislabeling protocol 42
 

D. Qualification and verification testing requirements for homes 43
 

Verification of site-built homes 44
 

Manufactured homes 44
 

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 45
 

Section IV. Assessing consumer experience and perception of ENERGY STAR 47
 

A.	 Household awareness of, understanding of, use of, and loyalty to ENERGY STAR 47
 

B. Sales staff evaluation 50
 

Section V. Establishing and revising ENERGY STAR specifications 53
 

A. 	 Guiding principles for developing and revising ENERGY STAR specifications 53
 

B. 	 Revising product specifications and adding new product categories 61
 

C. Revising homes specifications 62
 

Section VI. Ensuring compliance with other Partnership Agreement requirements 79
 

A. 	 Manufacturer shipment data 79
 

B. Retailer sales data 82
 

Conclusion 82
 
Executive Summary 

The ENERGY STAR identity is a valuable asset, and like any asset with appreciable value, it must be 

properly used and protected. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department 

of Energy (DOE) undertake substantial efforts to ensure 1) that the ENERGY STAR name and marks 

are applied properly and consistently in the marketplace; 2) that ENERGY STAR delivers on its 

promise to designate products and services that protect the environment through superior energy 

efficiency while achieving superior energy efficiency without trade-offs in performance or quality and 

offering attractive financial payback on any additional initial purchase costs; and 3) that the program is 

positioned to deliver growing energy savings and related environmental benefits for years to come. 

The following are ways in which EPA and DOE establish and maintain control over the use of the 

ENERGY STAR name and marks: 

•	 Entering into Partnership Agreements with product manufacturers, retailers, energy efficiency 

program administrators, builders, and others, which specifically outline the terms and 

conditions for using the ENERGY STAR name and marks (also called logos) 

•	 Issuing ENERGY STAR program identity guidelines to program partners and third parties to 

ensure proper use of the logo 

•	 Monitoring the use of the name and marks in trade media, advertisements, the Internet, and 

stores 

•	 Responding when consumers, competitors, program partners, and others bring possible 

trademark infringements to the attention of EPA or DOE 

•	 Verifying the energy performance of products and homes through product testing 

•	 Requiring product manufacturers to report qualification test results, which are reviewed and 

approved or disapproved 

•	 Assessing consumer experience with and perceptions of ENERGY STAR when purchasing or 

shopping for qualified products and services 

•	 Updating performance specifications as needed (e.g., when high levels of market penetration 

are reached; underlying reference standards are revised; there are substantial changes in 

technology, features, and functionality, etc.) to ensure that the ENERGY STAR designation 

remains meaningful in the marketplace 

EPA protects the ENERGY STAR brand through formal registration of the name and trademark with 

the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, through formal agreements with other government agencies 

and program partners governing use of the trademark, by providing written guidance on the proper 

application and use of the ENERGY STAR name and logo, and by actively monitoring its use in the 

marketplace. Today the program has active licensing or Partnership Agreements with more than 

12,000 partners, including: 

•	 2,000 manufacturers 

• 1,000 retailers 

•	 5,000 building partners 

•	 550 utilities, states, and other energy efficiency program administrators 

•	 Hundreds of energy service providers 

•	 7 international governments or unions 

These organizations work with EPA and DOE to promote ENERGY STAR as a solution for reducing 

greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. These partners play a vital role in 

1 
delivering ENERGY STAR qualified products and services to market and/or educating diverse 

constituents on the energy, environmental, and financial benefits of choosing ENERGY STAR. 

With a large and diverse network of partners delivering ENERGY STAR products and messaging to 

market comes a number of challenges to maintaining the integrity of the ENERGY STAR name and 

logos. EPA and DOE track appropriate use of the name and logo through a variety of methods, 

including monitoring media, responding to trademark issues raised by third parties, and verifying 

energy performance. There are formal protocols for dealing with potential trademark infringements, 

which are actively pursued until issues are resolved. Trademark violations as a percent of total 

companies advertising in print is negligible—estimated at less than 1 percent of advertisers in 2007 

(0.66 percent)—and misuse as a percent of total advertising volume is also low—estimated at less 

than 2 percent of advertising volume in 2007 (1.35 percent). 

All ENERGY STAR specifications criteria are based on strict performance criteria with clearly defined 

test procedures. Manufacturers are required to report qualification test results to EPA and DOE, which 

are reviewed and approved or disapproved. In addition, EPA verifies energy performance through its 

Compliance Audit Program. There are three key components to this Program: 

1. 	 EPA verification testing, which is administered by EPA using third-party independent 

laboratories. To date, EPA has tested 10 product categories and 172 product models. Of all 

models tested to date, three failed compliance testing. Failures were addressed in a timely 

fashion by the program. 

2. 	 Third-party testing, administered by external, independent organizations. This testing 

approach is relevant to products tested under certification programs, as well as products 

reviewed independently by organizations. 

3. 	 Quality assurance testing for lighting products. To date, this approach is only used for 

residential light fixtures (RLFs); however, DOE has developed a similar program for compact 

fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which will begin when the revised CFL criteria takes effect in 

December 2008. Ten RLFs and 12 lamp and ballast platforms were tested by EPA in 2006 

and 2007 as part of the quality assurance testing program. Two fixtures and two platforms 

have been removed from the Qualified Product List (de-listed) as a result of failures. Both the 

fixtures and CFL quality assurance testing programs evolved out of a 

third-party testing program known as the Program for Evaluation and Analysis of Residential 

Lighting (PEARL), which has been funded by both federal agencies and partner energy 

efficiency programs to perform off-the-shelf testing of ENERGY STAR lighting products. Under 

PEARL, 62 CFLs were tested in 2006 and 2007 and 13 CFLs have been de-listed as a result 

of failures. 

To understand how ENERGY STAR is perceived by consumers and presented to them in the 

marketplace, EPA analyzes household recognition of, understanding of, use of, and loyalty to 

ENERGY STAR labeled products and homes once each year; and it evaluates sales staff knowledge 

and use of ENERGY STAR messaging in major retail outlets twice each year. Today, more than 70 

percent of households nationwide recognize the ENERGY STAR label, more than 76 percent of these 

households correctly interpret the meaning of the ENERGY STAR label, and approximately 5 out of 6 

of these households report they are likely to recommend ENERGY STAR products to friends. 

Furthermore, from 2001 to 2007, retail staff using ENERGY STAR as part of the sales process has 

increased across a number of product categories. 

To ensure that the ENERGY STAR label continues to differentiate top energy performance in the 

marketplace and captures additional energy-savings opportunities as appropriate, EPA and DOE 

regularly screen and prioritize opportunities based on formal guiding principles for specification 

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development. These efforts have resulted in revisions to existing ENERGY STAR specifications, 

sunsetting or suspension of some specifications, and the introduction of new specifications with 

considerable energy and environmental benefits. Since the program’s inception in 1992, more than 50 

product and service categories have been added to the ENERGY STAR suite. In addition, numerous 

specifications have been updated to achieve additional energy and performance benefits. This report 

shows that new ENERGY STAR specifications for six product categories are in the process of being 

developed and 15 existing product specifications are in the process of being updated. 

EPA and DOE also have a significant commitment to pursuing both the voluntary and required data 

submission provisions of some Partnership Agreements. Tracking the market share of ENERGY 

STAR qualified products helps inform future specification revisions and program progress in delivering 

energy savings and related greenhouse gas emission reductions. In 2006, more than 90 percent of 

manufacturing partners who had mandatory requirements for market data submission provided the 

required data. 

In sum, EPA and DOE undertake substantial efforts not only to monitor the application and use of the 

ENERGY STAR trademark, but also to ensure that ENERGY STAR delivers the energy and 

environmental savings inherent in the ENERGY STAR promise. By consistently presenting the 

meaning and benefits of the ENERGY STAR label, EPA and DOE maintain and build the label’s value 

which immeasurably benefits all. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, prevented 40 million 

metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2007 alone—equivalent to the annual emissions from 27 

million vehicles—and saved about $16 billion on their energy bills. Savings are on track to nearly 

double in 10 years as more households, businesses, and organizations rely on ENERGY STAR for 

guidance in investing in energy-efficient products and practices. 

This report is presented in six main sections and provides additional detail on these efforts: 

•	 Section I provides an overview of the ENERGY STAR program and trademarks. 

•	 Section II summarizes the information that is collected and the processes used to maintain the 

integrity of the ENERGY STAR label across trade media, the Internet, advertisements, and 

stores. 

•	 Section III summarizes the processes that are used to qualify products and homes and verify 

energy performance. 

•	 Section IV summarizes the information collected and the methods used to assess consumer 

perceptions of and experience with purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified products, homes, 

and services. 

•	 Section V provides a review of the criteria that EPA and DOE use when selecting products that 

can earn the ENERGY STAR and summarizes the general principles used to prioritize 

specifications for revision. It also details specifications that have been revised or will soon be 

revised to ensure product quality and performance differentiation in the marketplace, as well 

as prospective revisions and new product categories being considered. 

•	 Section VI summarizes the efforts EPA is undertaking to ensure partners comply with the data 

submission requirements of the Partnership Agreement. 

New elements addressed in this report include: 

•	 Expanded discussion on how EPA verifies energy performance through its Compliance Audit 

Program, which includes EPA verification testing, third-party testing, and quality assurance 

testing for lighting products (Section III). 

•	 Expanded discussion of the criteria that EPA and DOE use to ensure consistency when 

selecting products that can earn the ENERGY STAR (Section V). 

3 
Introduction 

The ENERGY STAR brand is a valuable asset, and like any asset with appreciable value it must be 

properly used and protected. This report documents how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) work to ensure the integrity of the ENERGY STAR 

program and the proper use of the ENERGY STAR trademark. It focuses on the practices and 

processes used to ensure that labeled products, new homes, and home improvement services are 

properly represented in the marketplace and are positioned to deliver meaningful energy savings and 

related environmental benefits. It does not address the procedures for EPA’s effort in the commercial 

and industrial sectors, which are similar in many cases and may be added at a later time. 

This report also addresses the legal mechanisms for protecting the ENERGY STAR trademark and 

summarizes the efforts both agencies undertake to ensure that those protections remain fully 

enforceable in a court of law should the need arise. Additionally the report addresses questions of 

relevance and preference: Is the ENERGY STAR label useful to consumers? How is it being used by 

retail partners in the marketplace to communicate energy-efficient and environmentally-preferable 

products? In addition, given the success of the program in achieving high levels of market penetration 

for many product categories, what efforts are undertaken to ensure that the ENERGY STAR label 

continues to differentiate top energy performance and is leveraged to address new technologies and 

opportunities for additional energy savings and environmental benefits moving forward? 

The report is divided into six main sections: 

Section I provides an overview of the ENERGY STAR program and trademarks, including the 

following: 

•	 The statutory basis of the program and program history 

•	 An overview of the program’s registered trademarks and the legal protections of trademark 

registration 

•	 An overview of the methods that EPA and DOE use to maintain trademark protection and 

program integrity 

•	 The scope and nature of current licensing or Partnership Agreements that allow others to use 

the ENERGY STAR name and logos under certain conditions 

Section II addresses the following methods that EPA and DOE employ to monitor appropriate use of 

the ENERGY STAR name and logos and discusses the actions the agencies undertake when 

violations occur: 

•	 Monitoring print advertisements, the Internet and domain names, and print article content, as 

well as responding to potential trademark infringements raised by third parties 

•	 Assessing in-store use of the ENERGY STAR name and marks on products, packaging, and 

signage at retail locations 

Section III addresses the methods that EPA and DOE undertake to qualify products and homes and 

verify energy performance, as well as the process EPA and DOE employ for handling mislabeled 

products. These include: 

•	 Providing clear performance requirements 

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•	 Requiring manufacturers to report testing results in order to qualify for the ENERGY STAR 

label 

•	 Auditing compliance through EPA verification testing, third-party certification testing, and 

quality assurance testing for lighting products 

•	 Following an established response protocol in addressing product mislabeling 

Section IV addresses the efforts and key findings of EPA efforts to assess the consumer experience 

with and perceptions of ENERGY STAR, including the following: 

•	 An annual assessment of the household recognition of, understanding of, use of, and loyalty to 

ENERGY STAR labeled products and homes 

•	 A semi-annual evaluation of sales staff knowledge and use of ENERGY STAR messaging in 

retail settings 

Section V discusses the program’s procedures for introducing new products and services, as well as 

the process for revising ENERGY STAR specifications to ensure that they remain meaningful in the 

marketplace. In addition, detailed charts are provided for the following: 

•	 Consistency Review of ENERGY STAR products against the program criteria 

•	 Revisions to product specifications to date 

•	 Revisions to homes specifications to date 

•	 Specifications currently being revised or assessed for potential ENERGY STAR label eligibility 

Section VI discusses the procedures EPA and DOE undertake to ensure compliance with market 

share data submission requirements, which vary by partner type. Information is provided for the 

following: 

•	 Manufacturer shipment data 

•	 Retailer sales data 

In sum, EPA and DOE undertake substantial efforts not only to monitor the application and use of the 

ENERGY STAR trademark but to ensure that ENERGY STAR delivers the energy and environmental 

savings inherent in the ENERGY STAR brand promise. Consistently presenting the meaning and 

benefits of ENERGY STAR maintains and builds its value and immeasurably benefits all. Americans, 

with the help of ENERGY STAR, prevented 40 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 

2007 alone—equivalent to the annual emissions from 27 million vehicles—and saved about $16 billion 

on their energy bills. Savings are on track to nearly double in 10 years as more households, 

businesses, and organizations rely on ENERGY STAR for guidance in investing in energy-efficient 

products and practices. Additional information on program benefits can be found in the ENERGY 

STAR Overview of 2007 Achievements available at energystar.gov/publications. 

New elements addressed in this report include: 

•	 Expanded discussion on how EPA verifies energy performance through its Compliance Audit 

Program, which includes EPA verification testing, third-party testing, and quality assurance 

testing for lighting products (Section III). 

•	 Expanded discussion of the criteria that EPA and DOE use to ensure consistency when 

selecting products that can earn the ENERGY STAR (Section V). 

5 
Section I. 	 Overview of ENERGY STAR program and 

trademarks 

To fully appreciate the value of ENERGY STAR, it is essential to understand the statutory basis and 

history of the ENERGY STAR program, its registered trademarks and brand evolution, the methods 

that EPA and DOE use to maintain trademark protection and program integrity, and the scope and 

nature of current licensing agreements that allow others to use the ENERGY STAR name and logos 

under certain conditions. EPA established the ENERGY STAR program in 1992 under the authority of 

the Clean Air Act, Section 103(g), among others. To date, the ENERGY STAR program has active 

licensing agreements with multiple foreign governments and more than 12,000 private and public 

sector organizations. 

A. Program background 

The ENERGY STAR program was established by EPA in 1992, under the authority of the Clean Air 

Act Section 103(g), which directs the Administrator to “conduct a basic engineering research and 

technology program to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate non-regulatory strategies and 

technologies for reducing air pollution.” The section also calls on the Administrator to provide 

opportunities for industry, public interest groups, scientists, and other interested persons to participate 

in strategy development. It further directs EPA to include as elements of the program improvements in 

non-regulatory strategies and technologies for preventing or reducing multiple pollutants including 

carbon dioxide. The ENERGY STAR program is one component of the Administrator’s response. 

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary, public-private partnership designed to reduce energy use, greenhouse 

gas emissions, and related air pollution. 

The ENERGY STAR label was first introduced to identify energy-efficient computers but has since 

grown to distinguish other energy-efficient products across more than 50 categories. Since 1996, EPA 

has collaborated with DOE based on a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two agencies, 

which gives DOE responsibility for some product categories, as shown in Table 1. In addition, EPA 

developed criteria to allow the label to be used on energy-efficient new homes in 1995, energyefficient commercial buildings in 1999, and energy-efficient industrial plants in 2006. In 2005, 

Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act. Section 131 of the Act amends Section 324 (42 USC 6294) 

of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and requires, among other provisions, that the 

Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of DOE work jointly 1) to promote ENERGY STAR-compliant 

technologies as the preferred technologies in the marketplace for achieving energy efficiency and 

reducing pollution; 2) to enhance public awareness of the ENERGY STAR label; 3) to preserve the 

integrity of the ENERGY STAR label; 4) to regularly update ENERGY STAR products criteria; and 5) 

to solicit comments from interested parties prior to establishing or revising an ENERGY STAR product 

category, specification, or criterion. 

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B. ENERGY STAR brand and marks 

ENERGY STAR is more than a label awarded for energy efficiency. It is a partnership among 

government, business, and consumers, united in the pursuit of a common goal—to protect our 

environment for future generations. Since the inception of this program, key principles have been 

employed to position ENERGY STAR to be broadly appealing to the above partnerships. Key 

principles of the ENERGY STAR brand and attributes of the products that earn the ENERGY STAR 

include: 

•	 The products and services protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. 

•	 The products provide a simple way for consumers to find and select energy-saving products 

and practices. 

•	 The products and services achieve superior energy efficiency without trade-offs in 
 

performance or quality. 
 

•	 The products and services offer energy savings with attractive paybacks if there are higher 

initial first costs. 

•	 Government backing of ENERGY STAR provides valuable, unbiased information to 
 

consumers. 
 

ENERGY STAR is a registered mark of EPA and is protected by federal trademark law as codified in 

the Lanham Act, 15 USC Chapter 22. EPA first registered ENERGY STAR as a service mark in 1996 

and as a certification mark in 1997, followed by additional registrations as new performance 

specifications were developed to cover expanding program offerings and partnership needs. 

While the ENERGY STAR trademark was always protected by common law, a federal registration for 

the mark served the following purposes: 

•	 Constructive notice to the public of EPA’s ownership claim to the mark. 

•	 A legal presumption of EPA’s ownership of the mark and exclusive right to use the mark 

nationwide. 

•	 The ability to file the U.S. registration with the U.S. Customs Service to prevent importation of 

infringing foreign goods. 

In 2002, the program undertook an extensive review and revision of the ENERGY STAR program 

offerings, logos, and certification marks with the assistance of Interbrand, an international brand 

consulting firm. Figure 1, an excerpt from the ENERGY STAR program identity guidelines, Using the 

ENERGY STAR Identity to Maintain and Build Value, shows the marks that are currently in use and 

their proper applications. The transition to this new set of marks was staged over a 4-year period and 

was completed with the renewal of the EPA ENERGY STAR agreement with the European Union in 

2006. 

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Figure 1. Excerpt from Using the ENERGY STAR Identity to 

Maintain and Build Value 

In addition, EPA protects against the unauthorized use of the term “ENERGY STAR” as part of a 

domain name and considers such use to be an infringement of trademark rights under the Lanham 

Act, including the Anti-Cybersquatting Protection Act (ACPA), at 15 USC 1125(d). Furthermore, the 

term “ENERGY STAR” as part of a domain name is protected from unauthorized use by the Uniform 

Dispute Resolution Policy that is incorporated into each domain name’s registration agreement. 

In June 2007, Interbrand released a report on the ENERGY STAR brand which focused on the art and 

science of branding, the core principles of the ENERGY STAR brand, the evolution of the ENERGY 

STAR brand, future opportunities and challenges for the brand, and ways to ensure future success of 

the brand. According to this report, “ENERGY STAR has grown into a well-recognized consumer 

brand, the result of well-crafted strategies, market-defined insights, and a perseverance to always 

improve on the past.” In addition, the report noted that, “. . . EPA has put the brand management tools 

and standards in place to manage the brand for continued success.” 

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C. Maintaining trademark protection and program integrity 

In order to maintain the full protection of trademark and other applicable laws, EPA and DOE ensure 

quality control over the products and services on which the marks are used and the meeting of 

performance specifications for certification. EPA and DOE work to monitor and stop unauthorized or 

confusing use of the marks. The following are ways in which EPA and DOE establish and maintain 

control over the use of the mark: 

•	 By entering into Partnership Agreements with product manufacturers, retailers, energy 

efficiency program administrators, builders, and others, which specifically outline the terms 

and conditions for using the ENERGY STAR name and marks 

•	 By issuing ENERGY STAR program identity guidelines to program partners and third parties to 

ensure proper use of the logo (ENERGY STAR logo use and identity guidelines can be 

downloaded directly from the following URL: 

www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/logos/downloads/BrandBook508r.pdf) 

•	 By monitoring the use of the name and marks in trade media, advertisements, the Internet, 

and stores 

•	 By responding when consumers, competitors, program partners, and others bring possible 

trademark infringements to the attention of EPA or DOE 

•	 By auditing compliance through product testing 

•	 By requiring product manufacturers to report qualification test results, which are reviewed and 

approved or disapproved 

•	 By assessing consumer experience with and perceptions of ENERGY STAR when purchasing 

or shopping for qualified products and services 

•	 By updating performance specifications as needed (e.g., when high levels of market 

penetration are reached; underlying reference standards are revised; or there are substantial 

changes in technology, features, and functionality, etc.) to ensure that the ENERGY STAR 

designation remains meaningful in the marketplace 

Additionally, professional services monitor the filing or publication of applications at the U.S. Patent 

and Trade Office and provide oversight and legal protection for some ENERGY STAR qualified 

products that are covered by National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) and the Federal 

Trade Commission (FTC) Energy Guide Labeling requirements. 

In general, once a possible infringement of EPA's trademark is identified (an improper use or an 

unauthorized use), EPA or DOE sends a letter notifying the company of its potential infringement on 

the ENERGY STAR mark. The letter identifies EPA's rights to the mark, provides any documentation 

to evidence those rights, and informs the company that EPA views the company’s use as an 

infringement of EPA’s mark. The initial letter sent, especially to a program partner, typically has the 

tone of a "friendly reminder.” However, if the potential infringer does not comply with the request, EPA 

sends a “cease-and-desist” letter containing a more stern warning that the company’s use is 

considered an infringement of EPA’s rights and steps will be taken to prevent further unauthorized use 

of the mark. EPA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) works with the program on such letters. 

Additional details about procedures undertaken to address improper or unauthorized use of the 

ENERGY STAR name and mark for specific infringements are provided in Section III C. 

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D. Current licensing agreements governing the use of ENERGY STAR 

Since the program’s inception in 1992, collaboration and partnership have been key program design 

strategies and cornerstones of success. Partners help promote energy-efficient products and homes 

by labeling qualified models with the ENERGY STAR and/or educating consumers about their 

benefits. ENERGY STAR solutions have been developed to work within existing market channels in 

key sectors. These solutions are based on years of experience in understanding market complexities, 

identifying barriers to energy efficiency, and developing strategies to overcome these barriers. To 

ensure that the ENERGY STAR name and logo are properly used by all market actors, EPA has 

currently licensed the use of the ENERGY STAR logo to DOE, multiple foreign governments, and 

more than 12,000 private and public sector organizations, as summarized below. 

DOE Memorandum of Cooperation 

In 1996, EPA and DOE entered into a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to accelerate market 

acceptance of highly efficient building technologies through voluntary public/private partnerships. 

Through this agreement, EPA allows DOE to use the ENERGY STAR name and logo to promote 

certain energy-efficient appliances and windows. In the agreement, EPA retains ownership of the 

ENERGY STAR name and logo, with both agencies agreeing to oversee and ensure “proper use of 

the ENERGY STAR logo by its partners, consistent with the requirements of 15 USC Chapter 22, 

various state laws on trademarks, and this MOC.” Table 1 below and on the following pages shows 

the agency lead for each product. 

Table 1. Federal Management of ENERGY STAR Qualified Products by Category1 

Product Category EPA Managed Products DOE Managed Products 

Appliances Dehumidifiers 

Room air cleaners 

Clothes washers* 

Dishwashers* 

Refrigerators and freezers* 

Room air conditioners* 

Heating and 

Cooling 

Boilers* 

Ceiling fans 

Central air conditioners and air source 

heat pumps* 

Furnaces* 

Geothermal heat pumps* 

Light commercial heating, ventilation, 

and air conditioning (HVAC)* 

Programmable thermostats 

Ventilating fans 

Home Electronics Battery charging systems 

Cordless phones 

Combination units 

Digital to Analog (DTA) Converters 

1 Throughout the report, products are assigned to only one product category to avoid duplicative information. 

10 
Product Category EPA Managed Products DOE Managed Products 

DVD products 

External power adapters 

Home audio 

Televisions 

VCRs 

Home Envelope Insulation and air sealing (home 

sealing) 

Roof products 

Windows, doors, and skylights** 

Lighting Decorative Light Strings 

Exit signs* (suspended 5/08) 

RLFs 

Traffic signals* (suspended 5/07) 

CFLs*** 

Office Equipment Computers 

Copiers 

Digital Duplicators 

Fax machines 

Mailing machines 

Monitors 

Multi-function devices 

Printers 

Scanners 

Commercial Food 

Service 

Commercial dishwashers 

Commercial fryers 

Commercial hot food holding cabinets 

Commercial ice machines 

Commercial solid door refrigerators 

and freezers 

Commercial steam cookers 

Other Transformers* (suspended 5/07) 

Vending machines 

Water coolers 

*Indicates products where federal standards are also in effect. 
 

**The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has been adopted by most jurisdictions within the United States and 
 

prescribes energy performance standards for windows, doors, and skylights. 
 

*** CFL federal standard was established through the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005). 

11 
International agreements with EPA governing use of ENERGY STAR 

EPA has entered into a number of agreements with foreign governments allowing them to use the 

ENERGY STAR name and logo to designate energy-efficient products and educate consumers about 

energy-efficient options in their respective countries. Table 2 on the following page provides 

information about these agreements, including products covered. 

Partnership Agreement requirements by partner and category 

As of 2007, more than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners, committed to improving 

and promoting energy efficiency for products, homes, and businesses. These partners include 2,000 

manufacturers; 1,000 retailers; 5,000 building partners; 550 utilities, states, and other 

energy efficiency program administrators; and hundreds of energy service providers and financial 

lenders. Major requirements by Partnership Agreement are shown in Table 3. 

Each partner is also encouraged to undertake additional voluntary activities to receive special 

distinction. Additional voluntary activities generally fall into one of the following categories: 

•	 Equipment and building improvements such as considering energy efficiency 

improvements in company facilities, pursuing the ENERGY STAR label for buildings, 

purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified products or revising company purchasing or 

procurement specifications to include ENERGY STAR, and ensuring the power management 

feature is enabled on all ENERGY STAR qualified monitors and computers in company 

facilities. 

•	 Employee awareness improvements such as educating employees about ENERGY STAR 

and featuring information about ENERGY STAR on partner Web sites and in other promotional 

materials. 

•	 Provision of written updates to EPA and DOE on efforts undertaken to increase availability 

of ENERGY STAR qualified products and/or to promote awareness of ENERGY STAR and its 

message. 

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Table 2. International Agreements by Country 

Country 

Type of 

Agreement Foreign Signature Date Signed Produc

Australia Exchange of letters Sustainable Energy 

Development Authority (SEDA) 

November 14, 1996; Expansion letter April 7, 1999 

Computers, monitors, printetelevisions and VCRs 

Exchange of letters Australian Greenhouse Office May 7, 2001; 

expansion letter from EPA September 6, 2002 

Computers, monitors, printetelevisions, VCRs, telephonequipment, RLFs, exit signwater coolers, commercial freezers, roof products, tranthe opportunity for further eproducts found only in the Aresultant specification levelprinciples. 

New Zealand Letter of Intent 

(voluntary, nonbinding) 

New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) 

February/March 1997 

Computers, monitors, printe

Exchange of letters to expand agreement 

EECA May 2004 Televisions, VCRs, DVDs, 

central air conditioners, air programmable thermostatsinsulation products 

European Union Agreement (formal) Commission of European 

Communities 

December 19, 2000 Renewed September 2006 

Computers, monitors, printescanners, multi-function de

Japan Letter of Intent 

(voluntary, nonbinding) 

Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Agency of Natural Resources and Energy 

July 18, 1995 (by EPA) September 14, 1995 (by MITI); expansion letter February 9, 1999 

Computers, monitors, printeexpanded to include scann

Taiwan Exchange of letters Taipei Economic and Cultural 

Representative in the United States (TECRO) 

July 8, 1999 Computers, monitors, printe

scanners, multi-function de
Country 

T

ype of 

Agreement Foreign Signature Date Signed Produc

Canada Exchange of letters Natural Resources Canada 

(NRCan) 

May 2, 2001 by EPA/DOE; May 29, 2001 by NRCan 

Computers, monitors, printescanners, multi-function d

e

signs (suspended), central heat pumps, dehumi

difiers, 

water coolers, dishwashersrefrigerator/freezers, room 

Exchange of letters to expand agre

e

ment 

May 2003 Ground source heat pumps

traffic signals (suspended), top boxes, transformers, anrefrigerators and freezers 

Exchange of letters to expand agre

e

ment 

December 2

004 New homes 

Exchange of letters to amend a

gree

ment 

March 2008 Light com

mercial HVA

C, co

air cleaners, oil furna

c

es, e

TV adaptors, RLFs, decoraProducts rem

oved: exit sig

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)–Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein 

Exchange of letters Norway Ministry of Petroleum 

and Energy; Iceland Ministry of Industry; Lichtenstein Office of E

conomic Affairs 

August 31, 2004 Computers, monitors, printe

scanners, multi-function d

e
Table 3. Partnership Agreement Requirements by Partner and Category 

Product category 

Comply 

with 

current 

eligibility 

criteria 

Comply 

with 

current 

identity 

guidelines 

Provide at 

least one 

product 

(within 

one year 

unless 

otherwise 

noted) 

Label 

product 

Label 

product 

packaging 

or insert 

Provide 

qualified 

product 

list 

(annually 

unless 

otherwise 

noted) 

ship

or s

dat

equi

(ann

un

othe

no

Pro

u

MANUFACTURERS Appliances Clothes 

washers X X X X X X 

Dehumidifiers X X X X X X Dishwashers X X X X X X Refrigerators and freezers X X X X X X Room air conditioners X X X X X X 

Room air cleaners X X X X X X 

Heating & Cooling 

Boilers X X X X X Ceiling fans X X X X X 

conditioners and air source heat pumps Central air 

X X X X X 
Product category criteria 

Comply 

with 

current 

eligibility 

guidelines 

Comply 

with 

current 

identity 

( 

unless 

noted) 

Provide at 

least one 

product 

within 

one year 

otherwise Label 

product 

Label 

or insert 

product 

packaging 

qualified 

list 

unless 

noted) 

Provide 

product 

(annually 

otherwise 

u

ship

or s

dat

un

no

Pro

equi

(ann

othe

Furnaces X X X X X 

Geothermal heat pumps X X X X X 

Light HVAC 

commercial 

X X X X X 

Programmable thermostats X X X X X X Ventilating fans X X X X X X 

Home 

Electronics 

Battery 

charg ing systems X X 3 months X 

Semiannually 

Cordless phones X X X X X X Combination 

units X X 2 years X X X Digital to Analog (DTA) 

converters X X X X X X DVD products X X 2 years X X X 

External power adapters X X 3 months X Quarterly 

Home audio X X 2 years X X X 
Product category criteria 

Comply 

with 

current 

eligibility 

guidelines 

Comply 

with 

current 

identity 

( 

unless 

noted) 

Provide at 

least one 

product 

within 

one year 

otherwise Label 

product 

Label 

or insert 

product 

packaging 

qualified 

list 

unless 

noted) 

Provide 

product 

(annually 

otherwise 

u

ship

or s

dat

un

no

Pro

equi

(ann

othe

6 months 

Televi sions X X (Nov 08) X X X VCRs X X 2 years X X X 

Home Envelope Insulation 

products X 

Special 

Application 

Before 

is activated 

partnership 

X X 

Roof products X X X X X 

doors, and Windows, skylights X X 

Before 

partnership is activated X X 

Lighting 

lamps 

Compact fluorescent 

X X X X Quarterly Bi-an

Decorative light strings X X X X X 
Product category criteria 

Comply 

with 

current 

eligibility 

guidelines 

Comply 

with 

current 

identity 

( 

unless 

noted) 

Provide at 

least one 

product 

within 

one year 

otherwise Label 

product 

Label 

or insert 

product 

packaging 

qualified 

list 

unless 

noted) 

Provide 

product 

(annually 

otherwise 

u

ship

or s

dat

un

no

Pro

equi

(ann

othe

Exit signs Suspended May 1, 2008 RLFs X X X X X 

Traffic signals Suspended May 1, 2007 

Office Equipment Computers X X X X X X 

Copiers X X 6 months X X X 

Digital 

Duplicators X X 6 months X X X 

Fax Machines X X 6 months X X X 

Mailing 

Machines X X 6 months X X X 

Monitors X X X X X X Multi-function 

devices X X 6 months X X X 

Printers X X 6 months X X X 

Scanners X X 6 months X X X 

Food 

Commercial Service 

Commercial dishwashers X X X X X X 

fryers 

Commercial 

X X X X X X 

Commercial hot food holding cabinets X X X X X X 
Product category criteria 

Comply 

with 

current 

eligibility 

guidelines 

Comply 

with 

current 

identity 

( 

unless 

noted) 

Provide at 

least one 

product 

within 

one year 

otherwise Label 

product 

Label 

or insert 

product 

packaging 

qualified 

list 

unless 

noted) 

Provide 

product 

(annually 

otherwise 

u

ship

or s

dat

un

no

Pro

equi

(ann

othe

Commercial ice makers X X X X X X 

solid door 

Commercial refrigerators and freezers X X X X X X Commercial steam cookers X X X X X X 

Other Transformers Suspended May 1, 2007 

Vending 

machines X X X X X X 

Water coolers X X X X X X 

Retailers 

X 

Check on a 

regular 

basis 

Quarterly 

 (for retailers of clo

washers, dehumid

dishwashers, room 

and refrigerato

Sponsors 

Energy Efficiency Program 

X 
Comply with 

current 

eligibility 

criteria 

Comply 

with 

current 

identity 

guidelines 

Qualify or 

evaluate at 

least 1 

home in 

12 months 

Label 

home 

Submit marketing 

materials to EPA for 

review 

Provide m

indicat

HOME PERFORMANCE Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors X X 

After 2 years, must evaluate 50 homes per year X Quarte

HOME IMPROVEMENT Home Sealing (Recommended D-I-Y or contractor process) X 

Special 

Application X 

Retailers thpromote hosealing proindicators; store sampand suppocontractors provide additional information

HOMES 

Comply with 

current 

eligibility 

criteria 

Comply 

with 

current 

identity 

guidelines 

Qualify or 

evaluate at 

least 1 

home in 

12 months 

Label 

home 

Submit marketing 

materials to EPA for 

review 

Provide m

indicat

Builders X X X X Lenders X X 

3 

mortgages 

per year 

Efficiency Program Sponsors X X 

X 

Home Energy Raters and Providers X X X X 

X 

(homes qu

For details on special applications, refer to the ENERGY STAR program identity guidelines, Using the ENERGY STand Build Value. 
Section II. 	 Monitoring and ensuring appropriate use of 

ENERGY STAR 

To ensure that the ENERGY STAR name and logos are used appropriately in the marketplace, EPA 

and DOE undertake the following activities: 

•	 Monitoring the use of the ENERGY STAR name and marks in trade media, advertisements, 

and on Web sites, and responding when consumers, competitors, program partners, and 

others bring possible trademark infringements to the attention of EPA or DOE 

•	 Assessing in-store use of the ENERGY STAR name and marks on products, packaging, and 

signage at retail locations 

EPA and DOE maintain formal protocols for dealing with potential trademark infringements and label 

misuse, which are actively pursued until issues are resolved. As shown in Table 4, trademark 

violations as a percent of total companies advertising in print is negligible—estimated at less than 1 

percent of advertisers in 2007 (0.66 percent)—and misuse as a percent of total advertising volume is 

also low—estimated at less than 2 percent of advertising volume in 2007 (1.35 percent). EPA and 

DOE also receive quarterly reports from an Internet monitoring service that identifies company Web 

sites with potential violations. Of the 824 sites with potential violations identified in 2007, less than 5 

percent were estimated to contain trademark violations. 

Direct input provided to EPA and DOE program staff is another channel for identifying potential 

infringements. In September 2007, EPA added a “logo misuse” e-mail address to its Web site to 

further track inappropriate uses of the ENERGY STAR logo from outside sources. Retail store level 

assessments have also been an effective tool for monitoring logo use, improving qualified product 

lists, and taking corrective action as needed. EPA also investigates complaints about ENERGY STAR 

qualified products reported to the ENERGY STAR Hotline. 

A. 	 Monitoring use and responding to possible misuse of ENERGY 

STAR in advertisements and on the Internet 

EPA undertakes the following activities to track the use of the ENERGY STAR name and logo and to 

help maintain the value of the ENERGY STAR program: 

•	 Monitoring print advertisements monthly 

•	 Tracking Internet and domain name use quarterly 

•	 Responding to potential trademark infringements raised by consumers and third parties 

•	 Monitoring daily media 

If EPA or DOE identifies activities that are inconsistent with the ENERGY STAR program identity 

guidelines and/or that may be perceived as misleading to consumers, the appropriate program 

manager takes action to resolve the situation. The type of action depends on the nature of the 

instance and the type of organization involved. Examples of actions taken may include the following: 

•	 Contacting companies that misuse the logo or program name. Regardless of how the 

violation is reported, EPA and/or DOE contact those companies with confirmed name or logo 

21 
misuses by letter, e-mail, or phone depending on the nature of the violation and the history of 

prior contacts with the company. All correspondence with the company is tracked in an internal 

database allowing the program to monitor recurring violations as well as their resolution. 

•	 Terminating partnership and/or taking legal action. If a company refuses to comply after 

several attempts to resolve a situation and EPA’s Office of General Counsel has reviewed the 

matter, EPA or DOE can notify a company that its partnership has been terminated. As most 

companies are cooperative, this level of action is extremely rare. 

Monitoring print advertisements monthly 

EPA works with a national print monitoring service to monitor more than 18,000 newspapers, 

magazines, and trade journals for use of the ENERGY STAR marks. All advertisements received are 

reviewed for consistency with the ENERGY STAR program identity guidelines, Using the ENERGY 

STAR Identity to Maintain and Build Value. Advertisements using the marks in a manner inconsistent 

with the identity guidelines (e.g., use of the partner mark by a non-partner or use of the certification 

mark with a product or service that has not earned the ENERGY STAR) are individually reviewed and 

reported to the appropriate EPA and DOE program managers for follow-up action. This action typically 

involves calling the organization that placed the advertisement and following up with a letter formally 

informing the advertiser of EPA and DOE concerns and the requested change. EPA continues to 

monitor print advertisements in subsequent months to ensure corrective action by the advertiser. EPA 

and DOE program managers also individually review and address minor alterations or outdated 

applications of the ENERGY STAR mark. 

As shown in Table 4, trademark violations as a percent of total companies advertising in print is 

negligible—estimated at less than 1 percent of advertisers in 2007 (0.66 percent)—and misuse as a 

percent of total advertising volume is also low—estimated at less than 2 percent of advertising volume 

in 2007 (1.35 percent). 

The most frequently occurring type of trademark violation in print advertisements is the following: 

•	 Unauthorized use of an ENERGY STAR mark (e.g., use of the ENERGY STAR partner mark 

by a non-partner) 

Other trademark violations that occur include the following: 

•	 Use of the logo with a product or service that is not ENERGY STAR qualified 

•	 Endorsement use (e.g., implying that EPA, DOE, or the ENERGY STAR program endorses 

the product or service advertised) 

•	 Use of logo in name (e.g., ENERGY STAR in company, product, or service name) 

In addition to the trademark violations, the most frequently occurring logo misapplication in print 

advertisements is the following: 

•	 Use of an outdated form of the ENERGY STAR mark 

Other misapplications that occur include the following: 

•	 Use of ENERGY STAR mark without direct association with a qualified product 

•	 Alteration of the ENERGY STAR mark 

22 
Monitoring Internet and domain name use quarterly 

Consumers increasingly use the Internet as a source of information when researching products and 

services. As such, EPA has a responsibility to ensure that ENERGY STAR information on the Internet 

remains accurate and credible. EPA identifies and addresses information on the Internet involving 1) 

false statements about the qualified status of a product or service, and/or 2) the use of the ENERGY 

STAR name or logo to imply EPA or DOE endorsement of a product or service. To do so, each 

quarter EPA works with a leading Internet monitoring service to search the Internet for ENERGY 

STAR logo use and domain names that include ENERGY STAR. As part of this process, the 

monitoring service provides a list of Web sites that appear to be misusing the logo or have ENERGY 

STAR in their domain name. (EPA has granted permission to some public entities and state energy 

efficiency program administrators to use ENERGY STAR as part of their program or domain name 

with signed agreements to this effect.) 

Web sites that are potentially using the logo or the ENERGY STAR name in a manner inconsistent 

with the ENERGY STAR program identity guidelines are individually reviewed. When instances of 

inconsistencies are confirmed, the Web site is referred to the appropriate program managers for 

follow-up action. EPA also reviews the Web sites of major product retailers to gauge the quality and 

use of ENERGY STAR information on their Web sites. 

As shown in Table 4, quarterly reports from an Internet monitoring service identified 824 company 

Web sites with potential violations in 2007. After a closer review of these 824 sites, less than 5 

percent were found to contain trademark violations and all of these were addressed. 

In addition, direct input provided to EPA and DOE program staff and the public is another channel for 

identifying potential infringements. In 2007, EPA and DOE received approximately 60 reports of logo 

misuse compared to 30 reports in 2006. Of these reported instances, 45 were found to be violations in 

2007 and 16 were found to be violations in 2006.2 

Responding to potential trademark infringements and other complaints raised by consumers 

and third parties 

The success of ENERGY STAR depends heavily on high quality performance and customer 

satisfaction with ENERGY STAR qualified products and services. To maintain customer satisfaction, 

EPA and DOE must respond to customer, partner, and stakeholder concerns in a timely manner. The 

program’s toll-free hotline is one channel for receiving this type of feedback. Direct input provided to 

EPA and DOE program staff is another channel. In 2007, EPA and DOE received approximately 

60 e-mails regarding logo misuse. By responding to inquiries from consumers, competitors, and other 

interested stakeholders, EPA and DOE ensure that the program name and logo are used fairly and 

consistently in the marketplace. The protocol for responding to consumer and third party inquiries 

involves referring the incident to the appropriate EPA or DOE program managers, contacting the 

company about the potential infringement and taking appropriate follow-up action, and notifying the 

third party about the actions taken and resolution of the concern. In the case of a mislabeled product, 

EPA and DOE follow an established response protocol as described in Section III C. 

EPA also thoroughly investigates each complaint about qualified products and services received 

through the ENERGY STAR Hotline. In 2007, 114 complaints were received, about half concerned 

CFLs. In the case of CFLs, complaints were typically for early failure or some type of defect (humming 

2 EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Climate Protection Partnerships Division. 

23 
or slow start time). The response to these CFL complaints is to request additional information about 

the type of light fixture used, the circumstances, and the model and brand information. Many of the 

complaints are the result of using a regular CFL in a fixture with special features, such as a dimmer. 

This information, obtained through the hotline, helps to inform marketing efforts, such as creating 

specific frequently asked questions for the use of CFLs. 

Table 4. Logo Violations and Other Misapplications of the ENERGY STAR Mark 2006 – 2007 

2006 2007 

Print Advertisement Results by Number of Companies Companies % Companies % 

Proper Use 8,739 91.32% 8,865 93.67% 

Total Misapplication 792 8.28% 537 5.67% 

Minor Alteration 187 1.95% 113 1.19% 

Use of Outdated mark 575 6.01% 418 4.42% 

Use without Direct Association 30 0.31% 6 0.06% 

Total Violations 39 0.41% 62 0.66% 

Use of Logo in Name 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 

Unauthorized Use 31 0.32% 51 0.54% 

Endorsement Use 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 

Use with a Product or Service that is not qualified 8 0.08% 11 0.12% 

Total companies advertising 9,570 9,464 

Print Advertisement Results by Clip Volume Clips % Clips % 

Clips with misapplications or violations 3,221 2.40% 1,637 1.35% 

Total number of advertisements monitored 133,948 121,260 

Results from Quarterly Internet Monitoring Companies % Companies % 

Proper Use 654 63.87% 624 71.40% 

Total Misapplication 343 33.50% 213 24.37% 

Total Violations 27 2.64% 37 4.23% 

Total Companies Monitored for Potential Violations Online 1,024 874 

Results from Logo Misuse Email, Program Staff, and 

Store Assessments Companies Companies 

Violations Received from Logo Misuse Email and Program Staff 16 45 

Source: EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Climate Protection Partnerships Division. Note since 2002, based on the large 

volume and costs associated with data collection and assessment, EPA reduced collection of print advertising clips to 8 of 

the 12 months; therefore the values of print advertisement results in Table 4 for 2006 and 2007 are based on 8 months of 

data. 

24 
Monitoring daily media 

To understand and manage how ENERGY STAR qualified products and services are portrayed by the 

media to the general public, EPA monitors print articles and analyzes messaging trends over time. 

Due to the wide range of market actors independently disseminating information about ENERGY 

STAR, this process is critical, as it helps EPA and DOE ensure that program messaging remains 

consistent, accurate, and credible regardless of its source. To this end, during the first three quarters 

of 2007 more than 18,000 newspapers, magazines, and trade journals were monitored for articles that 

mentioned ENERGY STAR each month through a national media monitoring service. Beginning in 

October 2007, EPA switched to a national online media monitoring service, and the process was 

revised to incorporate limited online and broadcast media monitoring. On a daily basis print, online, 

and broadcast placements are posted to a Web-based portal for review. For selected months, EPA 

conducts a detailed messaging analysis and assesses trends across article content and distribution. 

Any instances of inaccurate or potentially misleading information are reported to the appropriate 

program managers for follow-up action as needed. 

B. Assessing in-store use of ENERGY STAR 

To maintain the value of the ENERGY STAR program, EPA and DOE need to ensure that qualified 

products are presented properly in the retail channel. To do so, EPA conducts semi-annual quality 

assurance reviews, referred to as retail store level assessments, at select retailers in 10 

geographically diverse metropolitan areas. Since 2001, EPA has conducted 11 rounds of quality 

assurance reviews, in 12 unique stores, covering 16 products: appliances (dishwashers, clothes 

washers, refrigerators, room air conditioners, room air cleaners, and dehumidifiers), home electronics 

(TVs and DVD players), CFLs, residential lighting fixtures (exterior fixtures, interior fixtures, table/floor 

lamps, ceiling fans, and ceiling fan lighting kits), programmable thermostats, and insulation. Each 

assessment focuses primarily on seasonal products with the selected retailers varying each round. 

The quality assurance reviews examine three distinct in-store efforts: 

•	 ENERGY STAR qualified products on store shelves 

•	 The presence and quality of display materials that showcase the ENERGY STAR name and/or 

logo 

•	 Sales staff knowledge and use of ENERGY STAR information in assisting customers 

Table 5, below, shows the products that have been assessed over 11 rounds of store-level 

assessments. 

25 
Table 5. Products Covered by Retail Store Level Assessme

Fall ‘01 

) ( 

Fall ‘03 

) 

Fall ’04 

) ( / 

Fall ‘05 

) 

Fall ‘06 

) 

Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 Round 

(Nov 

Spring ‘02 

(June) 

Spring ‘03 

April) (Oct/Nov (Oct/Nov 

Summer ’05 

Jul Aug) (Oct/Nov 

Spring ‘06 

(June) (Oct/Nov 

Spring 

(May/J

Insulation No No No No Yes No Yes No Yes No 

Room air 

conditioners No No No No No Yes No Yes No No 

ProductsYes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No 

Dehumidifiers No No Clothes washers Yes No No Yes No Yes No Yes 

Ceiling fans No Yes* Yes No No Yes No Yes No Yes 

Compact Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 

fluorescent lamps 

Residential 

lighting fixtures** No 

No No ) No No No 

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

DVD products Yes Yes*** Yes Yes Yes (PSI only 

Televisions Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes (PSI only ) No No SSE/D

Dishwashers Yes No No Yes Yes Yes (No SSE) No No No Yes 

Yes Refrigerators Yes No No Yes No Yes (No SSE) (8 markets ) No Yes No 

Room air 

cleaners Yes (No SSE) No Yes (PSI only ) No Yes 

Programmable No Yes Yes Yes NoYes Yes No Yes No

thermostats 

SSE = Sales Staff Evaluation PSI = Product Shelf Inventory *For products, “Yes” ind icates that sales staff evaluation(SSE), display check inventory (DCI), and product shelf inventory (PSI) were performed for the given product (unless otherw ise noted). **Includes inter ior/exterior fixtures, and table/floor lamps. ***In Rounds 3 and 4, DVDs and TVs were assessed together for the SSE. In Rounds 1 and 2, they were assessed separate ly. 
Product shelf and display check inventory are two key components for properly assessing the retail 

channel. Sales staff evaluation, also a key component to these assessments, will be discussed further 

in Section IV, as it pertains more directly to evaluating the consumer experience with ENERGY STAR. 

During assessments, if products are found labeled with the ENERGY STAR but are not on the 

Qualified Product List, EPA follows an established response protocol discussed in Section III C, 

Product mislabeling protocol. 

•	 Product shelf inventory (PSI). During the product shelf inventory, field personnel capture the 

extent to which ENERGY STAR qualified products are stocked and examine how accurately 

the ENERGY STAR logo is being used. Field personnel examine the brand, manufacturer, and 

model number, as well as the type and location of the logo. This information is used to 

determine whether products are labeled and/or mislabeled as ENERGY STAR and increase 

the accuracy of the lists of qualified products on the ENERGY STAR Web site. Improperly 

labeled products are referred to the appropriate program managers for follow-up action. In 

2007, more than 44,000 products were reviewed and 29 violations were found. 

•	 Display check inventory (DCI). The display check inventory involves assessing the presence 

and quality of display materials that showcase the ENERGY STAR name and/or logo. 

Photographic documentation of materials is gathered if the store has granted permission for 

photography. Since 2001, field personnel have observed and taken pictures of more than 

2,500 pieces of ENERGY STAR focused collateral and display/signage featuring an ENERGY 

STAR mark. These pieces are compared for consistency with brand messaging and the 

ENERGY STAR identity guidelines, Using the ENERGY STAR Identity to Maintain and Build 

Value. Any potential misuse of the logo is referred to the appropriate program managers for 

follow-up action. 

27 
Section III. 	 Verifying energy performance of ENERGY STAR 

products and homes 

The energy performance of products, homes, and buildings that meet ENERGY STAR qualifications 

are certified in accordance with the specifications and procedures outlined in respective Partnership 

Agreements. Procedures for ensuring that Home Performance programs meet ENERGY STAR quality 

assurance requirements are similarly outlined in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 

Sponsor Guide. Mislabeling a product, home, building, or service as ENERGY STAR is a violation of 

trademark law (15 USC Chapter 22), as discussed previously. 

EPA and DOE ensure that products meet ENERGY STAR specifications through the following 

activities: 

•	 Providing clear performance requirements 

•	 Requiring manufacturers to report test results in order to qualify for the ENERGY STAR 

• Auditing compliance 

o	 EPA verification testing 

o Third-party certification testing 

o	 Quality assurance testing for lighting products 

•	 Providing clear protocol for mislabeling of products 

•	 Requiring home builders to have homes inspected and verified by a qualified home energy 

rater 

A. Qualification testing for products 

Qualification testing requirements for products 

For products currently labeled as ENERGY STAR, manufacturers are required to report qualification 

test results to EPA or DOE, which are reviewed and approved or disapproved. Table 6 shows current 

testing requirements for ENERGY STAR qualified products as of January 1, 2008. 

28 
Table 6. ENERGY STAR Product Qualification Testing Requirements 

Product Category Test Procedure Test Results Reported 

Appliances Clothes washers DOE test procedure defined in 10 CFR 

430, Subpart B, Appendix J1 Factor (gallons/cycle/ft3

) 

Minimum Modified Energy Factor, Water 

Dehumidifiers 

i 

ANSI/AHAM standard DH-1, clauses 4, 

5, and 7 w th watt-hour meter 

Liters/kWh 

Dishwashers DOE test procedure defined in 10 CFR 

430, Subpart B, Appendix C 

Energy Factor (cycles/kWh) 

freezers 

Refrigerators and DOE test procedure defined in 10 CFR 

430, Subpart B, Appendices A1 and B1 

3 Product Class, Adjusted Volume (ft ),

Energy Use (kWh/year) 

conditioners 

Room air DOE test procedure defined in 10 CFR 

430, Subpart B, Appendix F 

Product Class, Energy Efficiency Ratio 

(EER), Capacity in Btu 

Room air 

cleaners 

ANSI/AHAM AC-1 Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), Standby 

Power (if applicable, W), Ozone production 

(if applicable, reported in ppb in accordance 

with the UL Standard 867) 

Cooling 

Heating and Boilers DOE test procedure defined in 10 CFR 

430; ANSI/ASHRAE standard 124-1991 

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), 

or Combined Appliance Annual Fuel 

Utilization Efficiency (CAafue) 

Ceiling fans ing 

procedure 

Laboratories that meet the guidelines 

Requirement for residential lighting 

) 

ENERGY STAR specific test 

provided in EPA’s ENERGY STAR 

Testing Facility Guidance Manual and 

have been approved to test for 

ENERGY STAR qualification 

For requirements specific to light kits: 

refer to Third Party/Certified Lab 

fixtures (RLFs 

For information specific to light kits: refer to 

Airflow (CFM), Efficacy (CFM/W), Fan 

Power Consumption (W) 

Test Results Reported for RLFs 

Central air 

conditioners & 

air-source heat 

pumps 

ARI 210/240 and ARI 210/240-94 

Use of the CEE Directory of ARI 

Verified Equipment is encouraged 

(HSPF), EER 

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), 

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 

Furnaces 

430, Appendix N 

DOE test procedure defined in 10 CFR AFUE rating 

Geothermal heat 

pumps 

ISO 13256-1 Coefficient of Performance (COP), EER 

HVAC 

Light commercial ARI 210/240 and 340/360 COP, EER, HSPF, Integrated Part-Load 

Value (IPLV), SEER 

Programmable 

thermostats 

ing 

procedure 

ENERGY STAR specific test 

(only general product details) 

N/A; no measurable test results collected 

Ventilating fans 

certified by HVI 

Test procedures 915, 916, 920 as Airflow (CFM), Efficacy (CFM/W), Motor 

Power (W), Sound (sones) 

Home 

Electronics 

Battery charging 

systems 

ENERGY STAR specific test procedure 

over 36 hours (Wh), 

12 hours (Wh), Total Non-active Energy, 

Measured Battery Energy (Wh), Average 

battery maintenance accumulated energy 

Average standby accumulated energy over 

Power Factor, Non-active Energy Ratio 

Cordless phones ENERGY STAR specific test procedure Watts in Standby 

units 

Combination ENERGY STAR specific test procedure Watts in Standby 

29 
Product Category Test Procedure Test Results Reported 

Digital to Analog 

(DTA) Converters 

CEA-2022 and Annex A of CEA 2013-A 

modified as noted in ENERGY STAR 

specification for DTAs 

Watts in Sleep Mode; Watts in On Mode; 

Auto Power Down Features; and Default 

Time for Auto Power Down 

DVD products ENERGY STAR specific test procedure Watts in Standby 

External power 

adapters 

Test Method for Calculating the Energy 

Efficiency of Single-Voltage External 

AC-DC and AC-AC Power Supplies 

(Adopted by ENERGY STAR; funded by 

CEC/PIER) 

230V/50Hz 

No-load power consumption (W) and 

average active efficiency at 115V/60Hz and 

Home audio ENERGY STAR specific test procedure Watts in Standby 

Televi sions 

62301 for standby. 

In version 3.0., televisions will make use 

of IEC 62087 for active power and IEC 

Watts in Standby 

VCRs ENERGY STAR specific test procedure Watts in Standby 

Home 

Envelope 

Insulation and air 

sealing 

(home sealing) 

ASTM standards E779-87 and E1998- 

99; CGSB standards 149 and 51.71-95; 

ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54: Section H; and 

ASHRAE 62-1999 

N/A; EPA does not maintain a qualified 

products list for this product category 

Roof products 

1918, and G 7 

ASTM standards E 903, C 1549, E 

after 3 years 

Initial solar reflectance; Solar reflectance 

Windows, doors, 

and skylights 

labeled for both U-Factor (Btu/h.ft2 . 

o

F) 

procedures of the NFRC 

NFRC test procedures 100 and 200 

Products must be rated, certified, and 

and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient 

(SHGC) in accordance with the 

products list 

N/A; DOE maintains a manufacturer list for 

this product category rather than a qualified 

Lighting 

) 

Compact 

fluorescent lamps 

(CFLs 

2001, LM-65 – 2001, and LM-66-00 – 

imits) for 

laboratory 

ANSI standards C78.901-2001, C78.5 – 

1997, and C78.375 – 1997; ANSI/IEEE 

standard C62.41 – 1991 (01-May1991); IESNA LM-9 – 1999, LM-40 – 

2000; CIE Publication No. 13.3 – 1995; 

UL 1993; ANSI/IEEE C62.41 (01-May1991), Category A, 7 strikes; FCC 47 

CFR including Part 2 (Equipment 

Authorization) and Part 18 (Technical 

Standards and Emission L 

consumer RF Lighting Equipment limits 

Qualified Product Information must be 

completed by a NVLAP-affiliated 

) 

Color Temperature ( ̊K), Lumen 

up Time (sec), Starting Time (ms), 

Transient Protection, Operating Frequency 

starting temperature, FTC labeling 

Minimum Efficacy (lm/w , 1,000-hour 

Lumen Maintenance (% of initial lamp 

lumens), Color Rendering Index, Correlated 

Maintenance at 40 percent of rated life (% 

of initial lamp lumens), Power Factor, Run-

(kHz), Electromagnetic Interference, Rapid 

Cycle Stress Test, Interim Life Test, 

Average Rated Lamp Life (hr), packaging 

requirements including warranty, language, 

requirements, incompatibility with controls, 

CFL/Incandescent Equivalency 

30
 
Product Category Test Procedure Test Results Reported 

Strings 

Decorative Light ASTM G 154 – 05; CSA-22.2 No.37-

M1989 (R2004); CIE 84-1989; CIE 127- 

1997; IESNA TM-16-05; UL 588-2004 rated for indoor or indoor/outdoor 

strings must maintain 50-70%, failed lamps 

Inspection (number of Lamps per string, 

replaceable lamps, safety requirements, 

applications, warranty); Electrical 

requirements (input power shall not exceed 

.20 watts, over-voltage); lifetime 

requirements (maintained light output 

should be no greater than 3%); Weathering 

requirements (maintained light output, failed 

lamps); Product packaging for consumer 

awareness requirements (product 

suitability, product description, correlated 

color temperature for white-light strings). 

RLFs 

01, LM-65-01, LM-9-99, LM-58, and 

60061-1, 60081, and 61347-2-3 

Third-party certification requirements 

a single submittal a partner might need 

l 

performance) 

ANSI standards C82.2, C82.11, 

C82.11b, C82.1, C78.5, C81.61, 

C78.901-2001, and C78.81-2001; 

IESNA standards LM-9, LM-66, LM-40-

LM-16; IEC standards 60091, 60901, 

Amendment 1 to Edition 1 2004-06; CIE 

13.3; ANSI/UL 153; UL 1598; UL 

1598B; ANSI/UL 935; UL 1993; NFPA 

70; FCC 47 CFR Part 18.305 and 

18.307; ASTM E283 

vary based on eligibility criterion (e.g., in 

to seek an independent NVLAP 

laboratory to test for fixture efficacy, but 

wou d be able to self-declare noise 

i 

approved documentation from an industry 

System Effi 

Lamp Correlated Color Temperature, Lamp 

Current Crest Factor, Maxi 

 ̊C)**, Ballast 

Frequency (kHz), 

*Test reports may come from laboratories 

i 

The follow ng are reported unless the 

partner uses either an “EPA approved 

Platform Letter of Qualification” or an “EPAassociation” (either of these forms takes the 

place of test documentation):* 

cacy (lpw), Lamp Life (hr), 

Lumen Maintenance (% of initial lamp 

lumens), Lamp Color Rendering Index, 

Start Time (ms), Power Factor, Lamp 

mum Measured 

Ballast Case Temperature During Normal 

Operation Inside Fixture ( 

Transient Protection, End of Life Protection 

accredited by NVFtLAP, NVLAP MRA 

signatories, or ISO 9000 registered facilities 

(varies by specific eligibility criterion) 

** Max mum Measured Ballast Case 

Temperature During Normal Operation 

Inside Fixture is always reported for indoor 

fixtures 

Equipment 

Office Computers ENERGY STAR specific test procedure 

Standby Level 

Watts in Idle State, Sleep Mode, and 

Digital 

Copiers, 

Duplicators 

ENERGY STAR specific test procedure 

Auto-off (min) 

Watts in Low Power, Default Time to Low 

Power (min), Recovery Time from Low 

Power (sec), Watts in Off, Default Time to 

31
 
Product Category Test Procedure Test Results Reported 

Monitors 

i 

l 

Related Equi 

ENERGY STAR specific test procedure. 

Incorporates the follow ng references: 

IEC 62301, Sections 3.2, 3.3; IEC 4.3.1; 

VESA F at Panel Display 

Measurements (FPDM) Standard 2.0, 

Sections 301-2, 301-3K, 302-1, and 

305-3; VESA FPDM Standard 2.0, 

Appendices A112-2F, A112-2H, A115, 

and AT01P; VESA Standard – Display 

Specifications and Measurement 

Procedures, Version 1.0, Revision 1.0, 

Section 8.1.3; European Norm 50301 – 

BSI 03-2001, BS EN 50301:2001, 

Methods of Measurement for the Power 

Consumption of Audio, Video, and 

pment, Annex A; and 

VESA Video Signal Standard (VSIS), 

Version 1.0, Rev. 2.0, December 2002 

Watts in Active, Watts in Sleep, Watts in Off 

Multi-function 

devices, 

Standard sized 

Laser jet printers 

ENERGY STAR specific test procedure 

lt 

Watts in Low Power, Recovery Time from 

Low Power (sec), Watts in Sleep, Defau 

Time to Sleep (min) 

Ink Jet Printers, 

Fax machines, 

Mailing machines 

ENERGY STAR specific test procedure Watts in Sleep, Default Time to Sleep (min )

Scanners ENERGY STAR specific test procedure Watts in Sleep, Default Time to Sleep (min )

Commercial 

Food 

Service 

Commercial 

dishwashers 

NSF/ANSI 3-2007; ASTM Standard F1696; ASTM Standard F1920 

counter and stationary rack single tank 

izing single 

Water consumption, idle energy rate for hot 

water and chemical sanitizing underdoor-type dishwashers, idle energy rate for 

hot water and chemical sanit 

and multiple tank rack conveyor 

dishwashers 

fryers 

Commercial ASTM standard F1361-99 

Idle Energy Rate (Btu/hr or W, based on 

fuel-type) 

Heavy Load (French Fry) Cooking Energy 

Efficiency (%); 

Commercial hot 

food holding 

cabinets 

ASTM standard F2140-01 3 Energy Usage (W); Idle Energy Rate (W/ft )

Commercial ice 

machines 

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration 

Institute (ARI) Standard 810-2006 

Harvest rate (lbs ice/day); energy use limit 

(kWh/100 lbs ice); portable water use limit 

(gal/100 lbs ice) 

Commercial solid 

door refrigerators 

and freezers 

ASHRAE standard 117-1992 Daily energy consumption (kWh/day) 

Commercial 

Steam Cookers 

ASHRAE standard F1484-99 Cooking Energy Efficiency (%);Idle Energy 

Rate (Btu/hr or W, based on fuel-type) 

Vending 

machines 

ASHRAE standard 32.1-2004 using the 

test conditions in Section 6 

kWh/day 

Water coolers ENERGY STAR specific test procedure Standby Energy (kWh/day) 

32
 
B. Compliance Audit Program 

In addition to reviewing qualification test results, EPA is in the process of broadening its Compliance 

Audit Program. 

EPA’s Compliance Audit Program addresses the broad range of eligible product categories through 

three approaches to verify product performance. These include: 

•	 EPA verification testing, which is administered by EPA using third-party independent 
 

laboratories 
 

•	 Third-party certification testing, which is administered by external, independent organizations 

•	 Quality assurance testing for lighting products 

EPA verification testing for products 

Verification testing is one of many checks on the certification process that was established to 

cost-effectively protect the integrity of the ENERGY STAR program. This testing is intended to 

supplement formal Partnership Agreements and the upfront qualification process that includes 

standardized, formal test procedures and the review of submitted data. The goal of testing is to 

identify potential compliance problems and set in motion a review process to ensure manufacturers 

take corrective measures as appropriate. This testing is also referred to as quality assurance testing, 

as it is an integral part of the Quality Assurance Program for ENERGY STAR 

EPA verification testing can be conducted for any ENERGY STAR qualified product. As specified in 

Partnership Agreements, EPA may, at its discretion, conduct tests on any products that are referred to 

as ENERGY STAR qualified. These products may be obtained on the open market, or voluntarily 

supplied by a partner at EPA’s request. Each year, EPA identifies a set of product categories to test, 

focusing primarily on products where certification programs do not exist, and coordinates testing with 

the product specification setting and revision process. EPA may choose to test a product category to 

inform specification development work or other program priorities. 

For each product category, EPA identifies specific models for testing. In general, EPA targets the 

most popular products on the market, as they reach the greatest number of consumers; however, 

EPA also considers other factors such as product features, prices, and manufacturers or brand names 

in making its selection. To date, EPA has conducted testing on the following 10 products: 

• Televisions • Air Cleaners 

• DVD products • Printer & Faxes 

• Monitors • Dehumidifiers 

• Telephony • Computers 

• Scanners • Multi-Function Devices (MFDs) [also referred to as All-in-One 

Devices and Upgradeable Digital Copiers (UDCs)] 

As shown in Table 7 below, out of the 172 models tested to date, three failed compliance testing. 

These failures ultimately led to the removal of one model from the ENERGY STAR qualified products 

list. 

33 
Table 7. EPA Verification Testing for ENERGY STAR Products 

Product 

Specification 

Requirements Model Selection 

# 

Mfrs 

# Units 

Tested Characteristics 

2002 Televisions ≤ 3 Watts in Standby 

mode 

Chose 15 ENERGY STAR models from among the top 25 TVs in terms of market sales, based on NPD Techworld data for January – March. 2002. 

5 45 (3 units 

of each model) 

Screen size 31” – 57”; tube, flat screen, and rear projection technologies 

DVDs1 For DVDs, ≤ 3 Watts in 

Standby mode. For DVD/VCR combos, ≤4 Watts in Standby mode. 

Chose 15 ENERGY STAR and non-ENERGY STAR models from among the top 25 TVs in terms of market sales, based on NPD Techworld data for April – June 2002. 

8 45 (3 units 

of each model) 

NA 

2003 Monitors3 ≤ 15 Watts in Sleep 

mode; ≤ 8 Watts in 

Low-power deep sleep mode 

Chose 10 CRT and 5 LCD models from among the top 25 CRT and top 5 LCD monitors in terms of market sales, based on NPD Techworld data for April – June 2002. 

7 45 (3 units 

of each model) 

30 CRTs and 15 LCDs; range in screen size 13.8” – 17” 

Telephony4 For answering 

machines/cordlesstelephones, ≤ 3.3 Watts in Standby mode (w/SST ≤ 3.6 Watts). For combination cordless telephone &answering machines, ≤ 4.0 Watts in Standby mode (w/SST ≤ 5.1 Watts) 

Chose 7 cordless phones, 8 combo phones and answering machines, and 5 handsets from the top 30 cordless phones and combo units in terms of market sales, based on NPD Techworld data for April – June. 2003. 

6 50 (3 units 

of each cordless phone and combo model; 1 unit of each handset model) 

24 combo phone & answering machines, 21 cordless phones, 5 handset only 
Product 

Specification 

Requirements Model Selection 

# 

Mfrs 

# Units 

Tested Characteristics 

2004 Scanners5 ≤ 12 Watts in Lowpower mode; ≤ 15 min 

default-delay time to Low-power mode 

Chose 8 scanner models from the top 30 in terms of market sales, based on NPD Techworld data for June – September 2003. Chose an additional 7 models from other sources to ensure a range of technologies (i.e., flatbed, sheet-fed, network). 

7 45 (3 units 

of each model) 

Scan rates 4 – 16 ms/line and 15 –25 ppm 

MFDs & UDCs7 For MFDs, ≤ (3.85 x 

ipm + 50) Watts in Low-power mode; ≤ 30 

sec recovery time from Low-power mode; ≤ 25 

– 105 Watts in Sleep mode, and ≤ 15 – 120 min default-delay time to Sleep mode, based on product speed. For UDCs, ≤ (3.85 x ipm + 

5) Watts in Low-power mode; ≤ 30 sec 

recovery time from Low-power mode; ≤ 5 

– 20 Watts in Sleep mode and ≤ 15 – 120 

min default delay-time to Sleep mode, based on product speed. 

Chose 8 MFDs, 2 UDCs, and 1 digital duplicator based on input from EPA’s Product Development Team to ensure a wide array of products and manufacturers were represented. The sample size for this test cycle was small given the higher per unit cost of MFDs and UDCs. 

10 11 (1 unit 

of each model) 

5 monochrome and 6 color, range in speed 12 – 120 ipm and 4.9 – 31 ppm 
Product 

Specification 

Requirements Model Selection 

# 

Mfrs 

# Units 

Tested Characteristics 

Printers & Faxes7 

For printers, ≤ 10 – 75 

Watts in Sleep mode; ≤

5 – 60 min default delay-time to Sleep mode, depending on color capability, marking technology, and print speed. For faxes, ≤ 10 – 15 Watts 

in Sleep mode and ≤ 5 min default delay-time to Sleep mode, based on product speed. 

Chose 9 printers, 1 photo printer, and 4 faxes from the top 25 faxes, laser printers, and inkjet printers in terms of market sales, based on NPD Techworld data for June – August 2004. 

10 14 (1 unit 

of each model) 

6 monochrome and 8 color, range in speed 3.8 – 33 ppm 

2005 Dehumidifiers8 Capacity of L/day < 10; 

EF ≥ 1.20 L/kWh. Capacity of 10 ≤ L/day < 25; EF ≥ 1.30 L/kWh. Capacity of 25 ≤ L/day ≤ 35; EF ≥ 1.50 L/kWh. 

Capacity of 36 ≤ L/day ≤ 57; EF ≥ 2.25 L/kWh. 

Chose 20 dehumidifiers based on input from EPA’s Product Development Team to ensure a wide array of products and manufacturers were represented. 

11 20 (1 unit 

of each model) 

Rated pints 20 – 101.2/day (9.6 – 47.9 liters); range in rated energy factor 1.3 – 2.75 L/day 

2006 Computers10 ≤ 15 – 50 Watts in 

Sleep mode, depending on the power supply rating; enter Sleep mode < 30 min. 

Chose 16 computers based on input from EPA’s Product Development Team to ensure a wide array of configurations and manufacturers were represented. 

11 16 (1 unit 

of each model) 

2 notebooks and 14 desktops; memory range 113 – 1,048 MB 
Product 

Specification 

Requirements Model Selection 

# 

Mfrs 

# Units 

Tested Characteristics 

Monitors Active: If X < 1 

megapixel, then Y = 23; if X ≥ 1 megapixel, 

then Y = 28X Sleep: ≤ 2 watts 

Off: ≤ 1 watt 

Chose 16 computer monitor models from the top 50 in terms of market sales, based on NPD Techworld data for April – June 2006. Chose an additional 4 models from other sources to ensure a range of manufacturers. 

11 20 (1 unit 

of each model) 

LCD models ranging in screen size from 15 to 23 inches 

2007 Room Air Cleaners 

≥ 2.0 CADR/Watt (Dust) and ≤ 2.0 Watts in Standby mode, where applicable 

Chose 11 room air cleaner models that were on the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Listing, but did not appear on AHAM’s Directory of Certified Room Air Cleaners 

7 11 (1 unit 

of each model) 

NA 

NOTES: 1 In addition to compliance testing, a few non-ENERGY STAR models were tested to a) gain an understanding of the Standby mode energy consumption range of t

determine whether the non-Audio/DVD partners have models that potentially could qualify. 2 All ENERGY STAR qualified models passed the Standby power test. Only one of the non-ENERGY STAR models did not pass. 3 In addition to compliance testing, data were collected to inform specification development activities. F-Squared Laboratories conducted preliminary testing on and mode test procedure and tested various voltage/frequency combinations. 4 In addition to compliance testing, data were collected to inform specification development work on an amendment for individual handsets and Tier 2 levels. 5 In addition to compliance testing, data were collected on non-ENERGY STAR models and for On/Active and Off/Standby modes to support specification developm

6 All ENERGY STAR qualified models passed the Sleep/Low-power test. A few non-ENERGY STAR models were tested in support of specification development eff

these models did not pass.

7 In addition to compliance testing, the new Total Electricity Consumption (TEC) test procedure also was used to inform the specification development process. 8 In addition to compliance testing, data were collected to inform specification development activities. Testing was conducted on both ENERGY STAR and non-ENE9 Initially, one ENERGY STAR qualified model did not pass the test for ENERGY STAR compliance. After testing, Intertek ETL SEMKO examined the internal comp

damage, most likely caused during shipping. A new unit was sent to Intertek for testing and it met the ENERGY STAR specifications. 10 In addition to compliance testing, data were collected on multiple operational modes, including Idle and Off, to inform specification revision activities. 11 All ENERGY STAR qualified models passed the Sleep mode test. Several non-ENERGY STAR models were tested in support of specification development effort

12 One model failed due to a software error. This error was immediately corrected and a new unit was tested to verify compliance.
EPA is planning to increase verification testing given the growth of the ENERGY STAR program and 

the number of qualified products on the market. For example, EPA is currently working with computer 

stakeholders to develop a testing program that would be funded by manufacturers and provide for 

more frequent testing. This program would still be administered by EPA with independent laboratories 

conducting the testing. 

Third-Party certification testing 

The second element of EPA’s Compliance Audit Program is testing administered by third-party 

certification programs. There are currently several third-party certification programs, which are funded 

and administered by industry trade associations that verify product performance. EPA is working to 

develop more formal relationships with these programs to leverage the extensive testing they already 

conduct for ENERGY STAR products. These include programs established by trade associations and 

relied upon by the federal government to ensure compliance with federal energy efficiency standards 

and other federal programs. 

Currently, EPA has identified the following organizations as providing relevant testing: 

 Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) 

 Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) 

 Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) 

 Air Movement & Control Association (AMCA) 

 Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) 

In addition, EPA plans to work with Fisher-Nickel, Inc., and the Food Service Technology Center 

(FSTC) to conduct testing for commercial food service products. 

Quality assurance testing for lighting products 

EPA established quality assurance testing for RLFs in 2005 under Version 4.0 of the ENERGY STAR 

specification for RLFs and has subsequently issued quality assurance testing guidelines and 

procedures. In addition, DOE has developed a quality assurance testing program for CFLs, which will 

take effect with the 4.0 criteria in December 2008. 

Efforts to test residential lighting performance initially were undertaken in 1999 by the Program for the 

Evaluation and Analysis of Residential Lighting (PEARL), a group of utilities, energy efficiency 

advocates, and market transformation organizations that focus on residential lighting products and are 

part of the ENERGY STAR program. PEARL was created in response to complaints received by 

some utility program managers about the performance of certain ENERGY STAR qualified lighting 

products being promoted within their service territories. PEARL purchased and tested lighting 

products that were available to the consumer in the marketplace via the Lighting Research Center 

(LRC), a testing laboratory accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 

(NVLAP).3

 NVLAP provides an unbiased third-party evaluation and recognition of performance, as 

well as expert technical guidance to upgrade laboratory performance. 

3 NVLAP is a voluntary, fee-supported program to accredit laboratories that are found competent to perform 

specific tests or calibrations, or types of tests or calibrations. The NVLAP was established by National Institute 

for Standards and Technology in 1976 to serve the needs of the government and private sector by fostering and 

promoting a uniformly acceptable base of professional and technical competence in the laboratory community, 

and to facilitate and promote acceptance of calibration and test results between countries to avoid barriers to 

trade. 

38 
To date, PEARL has tested 182 CFL models and 52 light fixture models and shared data on 

performance failures with EPA and DOE. In response, EPA and DOE have undertaken follow-up 

action to ensure that quality and performance issues are resolved and/or products are de-listed from 

the ENERGY STAR qualified products list. While results from PEARL highlighted issues with 

compliance, the program was also able to demonstrate increasing compliance and product 

performance in each successive round of testing. EPA decided to develop a testing program specific 

to RLFs as part of the ENERGY STAR partnership requirements and has established a formal quality 

assurance testing program involving manufacturer partner participation. DOE has developed a similar 

program for CFLs which will take effect under 4.0 criteria in December 2008. 

The quality assurance testing is intended to drive enhanced quality assurance and quality control 

processes for manufacturers, which is uniquely lacking for lighting products. Additionally, this testing 

is complemented by an additional requirement for manufacturers to submit accredited laboratory test 

data reports to EPA or DOE as part of the initial certification process. 

EPA quality assurance testing for residential light fixtures (RLFs) 

In October 2005, EPA launched the quality assurance testing program for RLFs. To limit the burden 

on manufacturers, EPA selects no more than two products from each chosen manufacturer in a given 

year for this product category. Under the new system, once a product is selected for testing, the 

manufacturer is required to choose and pay for testing at a manufacturer-independent laboratory that 

has been certified by NVLAP. The laboratory purchases fixture samples or lamp and ballast platforms 

on the open market, when possible, to further ensure the integrity of the process. Fixtures that fail the 

quality assurance testing are disqualified in accordance with the product mislabeling protocol 

discussed in Section III C. 

The first round of testing encompassed 10 fixtures from 10 unique manufacturers. The notification of 

QA selection began on April 3, 2006.4

 Two fixtures have been de-listed from the ENERGY STAR 

Qualified Product List as a result of failures. The second round of testing began in April 2007 and 

included 12 lamp and ballast platforms from 10 unique manufacturers. To date, two platforms have 

been de-listed as a result of failures in round two. 

DOE quality assurance testing for CFLs 

Given product performance concerns and PEARL results for some CFLs, DOE has focused 

verification testing on ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. DOE announced final criteria for its revised 

specification on March 7, 2008. This specification includes a requirement that CFL partners participate 

in a third-party testing and verification program similar to the manufacturer testing approach adopted 

for residential lighting fixtures. 

Since PEARL began testing CFLs in 1999, 75 out of 182 CFL models failed to meet all ENERGY 

STAR requirements. Of these 75 CFLs, 23 remain listed because the manufacturer corrected the 

failure or the product was retested and met performance criteria, and one product was disqualified 

due to specification revision. Table 8 provides results from CFL testing under the PEARL initiative. 

4 Two secondary selections were notified after this date (April 22 and May 23, respectively). 

39 
In addition to PEARL testing, DOE initiated the Mandatory CFL Reflector Testing Initiative in October 

2004, based on manufacturer input, which requires all qualified CFL reflector models to be tested. 

Models that were not submitted for testing were removed from the Qualified Product List on the 

ENERGY STAR Web site, and all retailer and energy efficiency program administrators were informed 

of the de-listings. Testing was completed on December 16, 2005 and 50 CFL reflector products out of 

65 were disqualified from the program. Out of the 50, 31 of the disqualified products were tested (the 

remainder were corresponding private labeled products). 

Out of the 65 CFL reflector products tested, 92 percent met the efficacy requirement, 91 percent met 

the rapid cycle stress test requirements, 63 percent met the 1,000-hour lumen maintenance 

requirement, and 68 percent met the lumen maintenance (at 40 percent) requirements. Based on 

these results, DOE has incorporated an elevated temperature testing requirement for all reflector 

products that are designed for use within recessed cans and other enclosed fixtures within the 

Version 4.0 ENERGY STAR criteria for CFLs (effective December 2, 2008). 

40 
Table 8. PEARL Testing for ENERGY STAR Qualified CFLs 

Year 

Number of CFLs 

Tested 

Number of Unique 

Models That Failed 

to Meet All Criteria 

Requirements 

Number of Unique 

Models Where 

Manufacturer 

Corrected Failure 

or Models Were 

Retested and Met 

Criteria 

Number of Unique 

Models No Longer 

Qualified Due to 

Revised 

Specification 

1999 Cycle 1 10 5 5 0 2001 – 2002 Cycle 2 18 9 6 0 2002 – 2003 Cycle 3 20 10 3 0 2003 Cycle 4 20 9 1 1 2004 Cycle 5 18 8 2 0 2005 Cycle 6 34 9 6 0 2006 Cycle 7 33 15 0 0 2007-08 Cycle 85 29 10 Pending 0 Total 182 75 23 1 

The quality assurance testing program for lighting products, along with EPA verification testing and third-party care all key elements of EPA’s Compliance Audit Program. A product is determined to have failed verification tesCompliance Audit Program if: a) the testing information supplied by the laboratory or manufacturer is complete b

product does not meet the performance requirements; b) the testing information supplied by the laboratory or minsufficient to determine whether the product meets the performance requirements; or c) the manufacturer fails 

requests for additional documentation or testing. EPA follows an established response protocol in addressing prdescribed in the following section. 

5 Cycle 8 testing was not complete for all products at time of writing. 
C. Product mislabeling protocol 

EPA and DOE follow an established response protocol in addressing product mislabeling. Mislabeled 

products are generally identified through one of the three mechanisms: 1) retail store level 

assessment, 2) the Compliance Audit Program, or 3) manufacturer reporting or self-disclosure. 

The protocol includes the following key steps: 

1) EPA or DOE notify the product manufacturer that the product will be removed from the 

ENERGY STAR Qualified Product List on the Web site and requests a corrective action plan. 

Partners found with mislabeled products in the market as ENERGY STAR may face 

termination of their Partnership Agreements. 

2) Upon notification, the manufacturer must immediately: 1) stop shipment of the model with the 

ENERGY STAR mark; 2) suspend the labeling of the unqualified6

 product with the ENERGY 

STAR mark; 3) remove or obscure the ENERGY STAR mark on product units within its 

control; and 4) remove or obscure the ENERGY STAR mark on all collateral materials such as 

product packaging Web pages and other marketing materials associated with the product. 

Depending on the amount of mislabeled product in the distribution chain and the nature of the 

distribution, EPA or DOE may require the manufacturer to remove or obscure labels on 

products already shipped. The manufacturer must provide EPA with a corrective action plan 

within 30 days of receiving written notification from EPA. This plan should confirm that the 

above actions were/are being taken in addition to informing EPA if the manufacturer plans to 

re-qualify the model at a later date. EPA and/or an ENERGY STAR representative will work 

with the manufacturer throughout the process until it is considered resolved by the Agency. 

3) For products that are commonly sold through retail channels and/or subject to financial 

incentives, EPA or DOE may notify retail partners and Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors 

(EEPS) that a product is considered “unqualified” and has been de-listed from the ENERGY 

STAR Web site. EPA or DOE will consolidate individual notices into one written letter if 

multiple products are deemed unqualified at the same time. 

At any time, the manufacturer may resubmit products with appropriate test data for re-qualification. 

As the ENERGY STAR name and logo are registered marks belonging to the U.S. government, EPA 

must ensure they are used correctly to protect the integrity of the program they represent. Any partner 

that uses the name and/or logo improperly and fails to take corrective action upon an EPA request 

may be subject to termination of its ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement, as well as legal action 

through EPA’s Office of General Counsel. 

6

 An “unqualified” product is a product that does not meet the current ENERGY STAR program and specification 

requirements. 

42 
D. Qualification and verification testing requirements for homes 

From 1995 through 2006, the ENERGY STAR specification for new homes was a Home Energy 

Rating System (HERS) score of 86. This score approximated a 30 percent energy efficiency 

improvement for heating, cooling, and hot water over a home built to the national Model Energy Code 

(MEC). In addition, EPA developed prescriptive designs called Builder Option Packages (BOPs) that 

detailed how builders could construct ENERGY STAR qualified homes without a home energy rating. 

This specification was amended in 2000 to also require at least 15 percent greater efficiency than the 

prevailing state energy code to ensure labeled homes were substantially more energy efficient than 

standard homes in states with rigorous energy codes (e.g., California, Texas). EPA subsequently 

revised this specification for site-built homes during 2005, increasing stringency in response to a 

much more rigorous national energy code (now called International Energy Conservation Code or 

IECC) and substantially higher cooling equipment standards under National Appliance Energy 

Conservation Act (NAECA). 

The revised specification requires an ENERGY STAR labeled home to be 15 to 20 percent more 

efficient than a home built to the 2004 IECC. In addition, EPA requires additional energy saving 

features (thermal bypass checklist) that typically make them 20 to 30 percent more efficient than 

standard homes. The date for full national implementation of this specification was July 1, 2007. 

Builders can meet these performance targets by constructing homes that score either an 80 or 85, 

depending on the climate zone, on the HERS scale. Such evaluations or ratings are conducted 

according to standards set by the Residential Energy Service Network (RESNET), under Chapter 3 

(National Energy Rating Standards) of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems 

Standards. Or, builders may use EPA-approved BOPs designed to meet or exceed ENERGY STAR 

performance criteria in designated climates. 

• Qualifying homes on a performance basis. To qualify as ENERGY STAR, a home must: 

(1) Meet the appropriate HERS Index and other mandatory requirements for home envelope, 

ductwork, and products 

(2) Be verified and field-tested in accordance with the RESNET Standards by a RESNETaccredited Provider 

(3) Have completed the Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist 

(4) Have installed various combinations of ENERGY STAR qualified products and appliances 

(5) Meet all applicable codes 

• Qualifying homes on a prescriptive basis. To qualify as ENERGY STAR, a home must: 

(1) Be built to the requirements specified in the appropriate ENERGY STAR BOP. All BOP 

requirements are verified by an independent, third-party accredited provider according to 

Chapter 4 of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards 

maintained by RESNET 

(2) Have completed the Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist 

(3) Meet all applicable codes 

Multi-family units that are three floors or less can qualify for ENERGY STAR if the end-unit with the 

most exposed wall area meets the appropriate HERS Index for its climate zone. In addition, the other 

dwellings must have equal or lesser window area to floor area ratio, as well as the same or more 

43 
stringent energy efficiency features as the tested unit. For the prescriptive path, EPA has developed a 

new BOP that is similar to the one developed for detached housing, but it allows builders to select 

additional energy efficiency features in exchange for not installing a high-efficiency HVAC system. 

Verification of site-built homes 

Site-built homes are inspected and verified as meeting ENERGY STAR specifications by either a 

certified HERS rater working for an accredited HERS provider or an accredited BOP provider. The 

HERS rater determines whether the home meets the ENERGY STAR performance specification. The 

BOP provider verifies that the home has been built to the prescriptive BOP. 

Field inspection and testing is either conducted on every home or through a sampling protocol when 

certain conditions are met.7

 ‘Sampling' allows an accredited Home Energy Rater provider to qualify a 

group of new homes to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines based on pre-analysis of building plans and 

subsequent random testing and inspections of a sample set of the homes as-built. For builders who 

have demonstrated an ability to consistently meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines, sampling helps to 

minimize production interruptions and verification costs, while ensuring that homes meet or exceed 

the guidelines for qualifying homes as ENERGY STAR. Sampling can be applied when either the 

performance verification method (HERS Index score) or prescriptive verification method (BOP) is 

used. 

RESNET has amended Chapter 6 of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards 

that governs the application of a recognized Sampling Protocol and the accreditation of Sampling 

Providers. This RESNET standard was developed by a panel of building science professionals with 

extensive experience working with builders in the field and was reviewed through a public comment 

period. This RESNET Standard has been adopted by EPA. 

In addition to the above quality assurance verifications, EPA 1) reviews evaluation reports from 

energy efficiency program administrators who conduct evaluations to verify energy savings and peak 

demand reductions; and 2) actively investigates complaints from consumers regarding their homes or 

the home energy rating process. In cases where EPA confirms that non-compliant homes are being 

verified or promoted as ENERGY STAR, action is taken to resolve noncompliance and/or terminate 

the ENERGY STAR partnership with the builder or rater. 

Manufactured homes 

An ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured home is 30 percent more energy efficient than a home 

built to the 1993 Model Energy Code. Since manufactured homes come under a different building 

code than site-built homes, EPA did not revise the specification for this housing type in 2005. In 

addition, EPA allows an additional verification path for manufactured homes to account for the 

inherently higher-quality insulation installation procedures and more complete thermal air barrier 

details that can be diligently followed and installed in the factory setting where these homes are 

manufactured. 

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a plant must first be certified to produce ENERGY STAR qualified 

homes by an independent ENERGY STAR certifier. Approved quality assurance providers currently 

7

 Prior to formal adoption of a sampling protocol option, the validity of the approach was verified in three markets 

where the sampling protocol was being pilot tested. Source: ICF 2000. Field Evaluation of EPA’s ENERGY 

STAR Homes Sampling Protocol November 2000. Independently, the Ohio State Energy office conducted a 

similar field study in 2001. In both studies, compliance with ENERGY STAR specifications was excellent. 

44 
include a provider overseen by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and the Manufactured 

Housing Research Alliance. To be certified, a plant must select energy efficiency measures that help 

achieve the ENERGY STAR specification, submit those measures to a design approval primary 

inspection agency (DAPIA) accredited by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 

(HUD), and then verify consistent conformance to those measures both in the plant and with 

assembled homes to a quality assurance provider. Once a plant is certified, the verification process 

entails checking: 

•	 At least one step of the production-line process by third-party in-plant inspection agents 

accredited by HUD 

•	 All steps of the production-line process by in-house quality control managers reviewing 
 

detailed checklists including all ENERGY STAR requirements 
 

•	 Assembled units in the field by factory quality control representatives and quality control 

checklists with ENERGY STAR requirements 

Furthermore, EPA requires that at least 2 percent of all labeled homes be spot checked in the field 

with diagnostic testing by a third-party ENERGY STAR Certifier. 

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 

Although any existing home that meets the ENERGY STAR specification for new homes may be 

labeled as ENERGY STAR, it is not cost effective for the majority of older homes to install upgrades 

and make renovations to meet these stringent criteria. Many cost-effective opportunities for reducing 

energy consumption in existing homes, however, are available. The Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR program is designed to identify and deliver these opportunities to the existing homes 

marketplace. The program is underway in over 20 metropolitan areas of the country and is operated 

by program sponsors. To offer a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, the program 

sponsor is required to develop and submit an annual program plan outlining implementation of the 

following program elements: 

•	 Ensure that energy specialists conduct whole-house analyses, including a complete 

visual and diagnostic energy inspection of the home’s thermal and mechanical systems (attics, 

exterior walls, infiltration, windows, basement, heating and cooling systems, and hot water 

systems). A visual inspection of the home’s lighting and appliances also is recommended. 

Additionally, ensure that all recommendations to the homeowner are made on a fuel-neutral 

basis and ensure that the homeowner (or tenant) is provided with a summary report, including 

results and recommendations, expected costs and savings, and the non-energy benefits of 

implementing recommendations. 

•	 Facilitate installation of recommended measures through information, marketing, financial 

incentives, and/or financing, placing emphasis on the installation of recommended measures, 

including but not limited to insulation, air sealing, heating, cooling, and duct system 

improvements, and energy-efficient lighting and appliance upgrades. 

•	 Facilitate direct connection of homeowners to appropriate qualified contractors who are 

able to implement the recommendations. This can be either by the contractor providing the 

inspection or other contractors qualified in home energy inspection, building science, and 

proper installation techniques. All measures are required to be installed in accordance with 

industry best practices. 

45 
•	 Verify energy performance and conformity to health and safety standards through 

diagnostic testing that includes measuring air infiltration and duct leakage and combustion 

safety testing [for example, in accordance with ASTM Standard E1998-99, “Standard Guide for 

Assessing Depressurization-Induced Backdrafting and Spillage from Vented Combustion 

Appliances;” Section H of the National Fuel Gas Code (ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54); or Canada 

General Standards Board-51.71-95, “The Spillage Test Method to Determine The Potential for 

Pressure Induced Spillage from Vented, Fuel-Fired, Space Heating Appliances, Water Heaters 

and Fireplaces”]. 

•	 Ensure quality through rigorous contractor certification and accreditation or through 

direct oversight and inspection as detailed below: 

-	 Certification/accreditation. The certification/accreditation must be at least as rigorous as 

the technical certifications offered by the Building Performance Institute. Required 

elements include 1) written and performance-based skill evaluations in all relevant areas; 

2) evaluation against consensus-based building science standards; 3) an accreditation 

agreement in which the contractor performing the work agrees to meet consensus-based 

building science standards for all work performed, using oversight by certified technicians 

with appropriately trained crews; and 4) a contractor agreement to establish and use 

internal quality control and consumer complaint resolution procedures. In addition, 

contractors must agree to oversight, such as review of records and job inspections by the 

certifying/accrediting body or the energy efficiency program administrator. 

-	 Inspection oversight. The energy efficiency program administrator will ensure that 

participating contractors receive building science and measurement training sufficient to 

perform the diagnostic testing and properly install improvement measures. Further, the 

program administrator or designated agent will directly inspect the completed work at no 

less than a 15 percent sampling rate to ensure that cost-effective recommendations are 

being reasonably presented to homeowners and those measures are performed according 

to established standards. 

Partners that are not meeting the basic requirements of the Partnership Agreement receive a call 

explaining EPA concerns and requesting resolution. Partners that do not take action within 6 months 

of being contacted will receive a letter terminating the Partnership Agreement. 

EPA and DOE are currently developing more specific guidance related to the implementation steps 

listed above. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is jointly managed by EPA and DOE. 

46 
Section IV. 	 Assessing consumer experience and perception of 

ENERGY STAR 

EPA and DOE assess the consumer experience with and perceptions of ENERGY STAR by: 

•	 Annually conducting a national analysis of household awareness of, understanding of, 
 

influence of, and loyalty to ENERGY STAR 
 

•	 Assessing whether and how retail sales associates present information about energy 
 

efficiency and ENERGY STAR to their customers 
 

A. 	 Household awareness of, understanding of, use of, and loyalty to 

ENERGY STAR 

Since 2000, EPA has produced a national analysis of household perceptions of ENERGY STAR 

based on a data set made publicly available by the Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE).8

 The 

analyses show that since 2000, consumer awareness of, understanding of, influence of, and loyalty to 

ENERGY STAR has increased significantly. 

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in 2007, more than 70 percent of households nationwide recognized the 

ENERGY STAR label and more than 75 percent correctly interpreted the meaning of the ENERGY 

STAR label.9 

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, of the one in three households that knowingly purchased an ENERGY 

STAR qualified product in 2007, more than 70 percent of them reported the label as influential to their 

purchasing decision, and more than 80 percent of them reported they are likely to recommend 

ENERGY STAR products to friends.10 

8

 CEE members comprising state, utility, and third-party energy efficiency program administrators sponsor a
 

household survey about ENERGY STAR in the fall of each year to evaluate the effectiveness of their own 
 

energy efficiency campaigns and program tactics. 
 9

 EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Climate Protection Partnerships Division. “National Awareness of ENERGY
 

STAR for 2007: Analysis of CEE Household Survey.” U.S. EPA, 2007.
 10 Ibid. 
 

47 
Unaided Awareness Aided Awareness General and High Understanding

0% 

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

* 

** 

*** 

  

** *** 

0% 

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 200

^ 

 Figure 2. Awareness of ENERGY STAR Figure 3. Understanding of ENERGY STA

0% 

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Unaided Awareness Aided Awareness 

* 

** 

*** 

  

** *** 

0% 

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 200

General and High Understanding 

^ 

* Unaided recognition, the 2001 and 2002 proportions are statistically different from each other at the 5-percent level of significance (p-va

** Aided recognition, the 2002 and 2003 proportions are statistically different from each other at the 1-percent level of significance (p-val

recognition, the 2002 and 2003 proportions are statistically different from each other at the 5-percent level of significance (p-value ≤ 0.05

*** Aided and unaided recognition, the 2003 and 2004 proportions are statistically different from each other at the 5-percent level of sign

  Aided recognition, the 2005 and 2006 proportions are statistically different from each other at the 5-percent level of significance (p-varecognition, the 2005 and 2006 proportions are statistically different from each other at the 1-percent level of significance (p-value ≤ 0.01

** *** Aided and unaided recognition, the 2006 and 2007 proportions are statistically different from each other at the 5-percent level of sig

^ Level of understanding, the 2003 and 2004 proportions are statistically different from each other at the 5-percent level of significance (

^^ CEE made a change to the 2006 survey that affects the calculation of the Level of Understanding of the Label, which is based on the 

ended question. In previous years all respondents were asked the question. In the 2006 survey, due to a new skip pattern, 339 responde

question. Therefore, it was not possible to determine the Level of Understanding of the Label for these 339 respondents. For comparison this same subset of respondents were removed from the 2005 calculations. When compared with the 2005 results using all respondents

difference. 

^^^ In 2007, the survey reverted back to the skip patterns used prior to 2006; therefore the 2007 results can be directly compared to the 

and 2005 proportion of households with at least a general understanding of the ENERGY STAR label are statistically different at the 5-pe

(p-value ≤ 0.05). 
Figure 4. Influence of ENERGY STAR Label on Purchasing Figure 5. Likel

y to Recommend ENERGY S

0% 

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Infl ) 

0% 

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 

2001 2002 2003 2004 2

uenced Purchased (

Very much or somewhat 

2005 

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006* 

* In 2006 and 2007, the response options for survey question Q11 ("How likely are you to recommend E

NERGY STAR-labeled prod

changed from previous years. 

Thus, 2006 and 2007 data are not directly comparable 

with the 2001 – 2005 data series. Values show

represent individuals 

whose responses 

were from 6 – 10 on a scale 

where 0 = Extremely Unlikely and 10 = Extremely Likely. Values 

represent individuals 

whose responses to Q11 

were either "

Very Likely" or "Some

what Likely" given response options of "Very Likel

"Slightly Likely," and "Not at All Likely." 
B. Sales staff evaluation 

As discussed previously in Section II B, EPA conducts a semi-annual retail store level assessment. A 

key component of the review is an assessment of the retail sales staff, which involves field staff 

posing as shoppers seeking purchasing advice based on standard situations for designated products. 

Following each shopping experience, field personnel rate salesperson use and knowledge of 

ENERGY STAR. Salespeople who mention ENERGY STAR without prompting, explain ENERGY 

STAR and its sponsorship by EPA and DOE accurately, and present ENERGY STAR, energy 

efficiency, and environmental benefits as top considerations receive the highest assessments. Since 

2001, field personnel have interacted with more than 12 unique stores across 16 product categories. 

The information captured from these interactions allows EPA and DOE to refine the information and 

tools they provide to retail partners. 

From 2001 to 2007, sales staff using ENERGY STAR as part of the sales process has increased 

across several key product categories.11 

Field personnel agreement levels over time for some of the key assessment areas are presented in 

Figures 6 through 9 below. 

EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Climate Protection Partnerships Division. “ENERGY STAR Retail Store-Level 

Assessment Round 11/ Fall 2007 (DRAFT).” U.S. EPA, 2008. 

50 

11 
5
 

4
 

Figure 6. Retailer Familiarity with ENERGY STAR 

Agreement Level (1=Low, 5=High) 

Agreement Level (1=Low, 5=High) 5
 

4
 

3
 

2
 

1
 

0 

Fall 2001 Sprg 2002 Sprg 2003 Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Sum 2005 Fall 2005 Sum 2006 Fall 2006 Sum 2007 Fall 2007
 

Date
 

CFL Bulbs Clothes Washer Interior & Exterior Fixt_ Programmable Thermostat 

Figure 7. The Retailer Provision of Basic Explanation of ENERGY STAR 

2
 

1
 

0 

Fall 2001 Sprg 2002 Sprg 2003 Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Sum 2005 Fall 2005 Sum 2006 Fall 2006 Sum 2007 Fall 2007
 

Date
 

CFL Bulbs Clothes Washer Interior & Exterior Fixt_ Programmable Thermostat 

3
 

51 
5
 

4
 

Figure 8. Retailer Directed the Consumer to Energy Efficient Products 

Agree

ment Level (1=Low, 5=High) Agreement Level (1=Low, 5=High) 3
 

2
 

1
 

0 

Fall 2001 Sprg 2002 Sprg 2003 Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Sum 2005 Fall 2005 Sum 2006 Fall 2006 Sum 2007 Fall 2007
 

Date 

CFL Bu lbs Clothes Washer Interior & Exterior Fixt_ Programmable Thermostat 

Figure 9. Retailer Mention of ENERGY STAR by Name Without Prompt 

5
 

2
 

1
 

0 

Fall 2001 Sprg 2002 Sprg 2003 Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Sum 2005 Fall 2005 Sum 2006 Fall 2006 Sum 2007 Fall 2007
 

Date
 

CFL Bulbs Clothes Washer Interior & Exterior Fixt_ Programmab le Thermostat 

4
 

3
 

52 
Section V.	 Establishing and revising ENERGY STAR 

specifications 

Establishing and revising ENERGY STAR specifications using consistent and fair principles is 

important to maintaining the integrity of ENERGY STAR in the marketplace and ensures that: 

•	 Consumers have a consistent understanding of and experience with the ENERGY STAR label 

•	 Manufacturers, builders, and other suppliers are not unfairly disadvantaged 

•	 The nature of the program, as invested in by existing program partners, is not adversely 

impacted due to the introduction of additional ENERGY STAR qualified products or services 

The information provided below describes the principles, processes, and progress that EPA and DOE 

have made in developing and revising specifications to achieve greater energy performance and 

maintain differentiation for ENERGY STAR in the marketplace. 

A. 	 Guiding principles for developing and revising ENERGY STAR 

specifications 

Key principles of the ENERGY STAR brand and attributes of the products that earn the ENERGY 

STAR include: 

•	 Provide simple ways for consumers to find and select energy-saving products and practices 

•	 Deliver real energy savings to the consumer 

•	 Are fully commercialized and use proven technologies 

•	 Will be cost effective, offering a payback in a reasonable period of time if there is a higher 

initial cost for the product 

•	 Will provide the same, if not better, performance compared to the typical alternative 

•	 Provide technology-neutral performance requirements across competing technologies 

In summary, the ENERGY STAR label is a “trustmark” for consumers based on the large government 

and stakeholder investment to date and it is that value that EPA strives to continue to build and 

maintain. 

Implementation of the principles listed above is distilled into a short set of key attributes about the 

market characteristics of the products that would be eligible for the ENERGY STAR label. In addition, 

questions can be posed to assist in assessing the consistency of the implementation of these 

principles across the product categories and products eligible for the ENERGY STAR. These market 

characteristics as well as key questions are detailed below and can be examined on a product basis 

in Table 9. 

•	 Products must be clearly and broadly accessible in the marketplace to be candidates for 

ENERGY STAR. ENERGY STAR is used to help a broad set of consumers easily make energyefficient choices when they are in the market to buy or replace products. Thus, highlighting 

products to consumers that are not broadly available is not helpful and confuses consumers about 

53 
the role of ENERGY STAR and the value that ENERGY STAR offers them, as well as potentially 

undermining the overall ENERGY STAR brand. 

Key Questions: 

- Are the products eligible for the ENERGY STAR label broadly available to the typical 
 

consumer in the places these consumers purchase the products? 
 

- Are the products eligible for the ENERGY STAR label broadly available to the typical 
 

consumer in the places these consumers purchase across the country? 
 

•	 Products must have an energy savings potential that translates into tangible energy 

savings when the product is placed in a home or building to be a candidate for the 

ENERGY STAR. It is important that consumers receive the expected energy savings (and 

expected payback) from the purchase of ENERGY STAR qualified products. If there are issues 

with installation or system integration that can have a significant impact on a consumer’s ability to 

realize the savings from the product’s energy efficiency, then the savings are not guaranteed. As a 

result, EPA is very cautious about labeling products that are components of larger building or 

industrial systems. In an early part of the exploration process, EPA determines if there are 

systems design, integration, and/or installation issues. If there are significant issues, EPA does not 

consider the product category a viable candidate for the ENERGY STAR program. 

Key Questions: 

- Are there significant installation issues that would cause the typical consumer to not receive 

the anticipated energy savings from the products? 

- Are there significant systems interactions and design issues that would cause the typical 

consumer to not receive the anticipated energy savings from the products? 

•	 Products must be fully commercialized and use proven technologies to be candidates for 

the ENERGY STAR. The energy savings to the consumer (and the expected payback) have to be 

routine and reliable, which means the technology has to also be proven and reliable. 

Key Questions: 

- Are the energy-efficient technologies proven in the marketplace and is there a track record of 

these technologies working? 

- Are there significant consumer complaints associated with the energy-efficient products in the 

product category? 

•	 Products must offer payback in a reasonable timeframe to be a candidate for the ENERGY 

STAR. ENERGY STAR is designed to appeal to a broad base of consumers and to do so, a 

strong financial case is critical. Specifications are set with reasonably short paybacks when there 

is an incremental initial cost for the product. It is important for consumers that purchase ENERGY 

STAR qualified products to be financially better off investing in energy-efficient products than 

investing in similar alternatives. The specifications for ENERGY STAR are typically set at 

performance levels where there is broad availability of products offering two- to three-year simple 

paybacks. Additionally, consumers have strong preferences for specific features in a product, and 

there needs to be available efficient products to fulfill these preferences. Many of the current 

ENERGY STAR products have no significant additional up-front cost and, at most, these products 

have about a 5-year payback. There are complexities that need to be addressed when the energy 

use of a product is climate dependent, such as with air conditioners and furnaces. 

54 
Key Questions: 

- Is there a range of products that meet the ENERGY STAR specification that have the features 

consumers typically prefer and purchase? 

- What is the payback for the products that meet the ENERGY STAR performance requirement 

for the consumer? 

- Are there regional climate issues to address and if there are, has the specification been set so 

that the large majority of consumers will have a reasonable payback, recognizing that setting 

the specification to be cost-effective for all consumers is not the best solution? 

•	 Products should have ENERGY STAR specifications developed only where energy-efficient 

product performance can be maintained or enhanced. Market research shows that consumers 

do not want to compromise product performance as they seek opportunities to lower their energy 

bills or protect the environment. In developing ENERGY STAR specifications, care is necessary to 

identify any performance issues with energy-efficient products and to address the performance 

issues effectively through the specification. If the performance issues cannot be effectively 

addressed through the specification, the product category is likely not a viable candidate for the 

ENERGY STAR program. 

Key Questions: 

-	 Have performance issues been identified with the energy-efficient products in the product 

category? 

- Have performance issues been addressed in the ENERGY STAR specification? 

- Are there significant consumer complaints associated with energy-efficient products in the 

product category? 

•	 Products should have ENERGY STAR specifications developed as performance based and 

technology neutral across competing technologies. ENERGY STAR is a marketing tool that 

may convey a business advantage to manufacturers that use it. As such, the government needs to 

establish specifications that do not favor one manufacturer or technology over another. The 

government cannot be seen as being arbitrary in the guidelines it sets for energy efficiency. Being 

technology neutral and performance based does not necessarily mean that the same performance 

requirements will be required across all fields. For example, in the case of electric- and gas-fueled 

products, consumers have already chosen a fuel and are looking to choose the cost-effective 

option for that given fuel. In this scenario, requiring a consumer to change to products of another 

fuel would typically cost substantially more money and not meet the cost-effectiveness guidelines 

established earlier for the ENERGY STAR program. 

Key Questions: 

-	 Are there a variety of energy-efficient technologies that provide a similar function (e.g. lighting 

or television viewing)? 

- Is the ENERGY STAR specification technology neutral and performance based? 

- Are there reasons why a performance-based, technology-neutral requirement does not make 

sense (e.g. in the case of a gas versus electric products example detailed above)? 

The above guiding principles are used to determine whether specifications for existing products 

should be revised or whether technologies have matured (or failed to mature) to the point that using 

the ENERGY STAR label in conjunction with a product or service is no longer in the best interest of 

the EPA, DOE, or consumers (i.e., no longer a cost-effective performance differentiator). 

55 
The markets for each product and service labeled as ENERGY STAR vary widely. As such, there is 

no set market penetration level that triggers a specification review. Rather, the patterns of market 

share growth and other factors, such as relevant legislation, are monitored over time to anticipate the 

need for change. 

56 
Table 9. Key Principles and Associated Product Review Questions 

(as of December 2007) 

Product 

Available 

Significant Issues 

with Consumer 

Realizing Expected 

Savings or Payback 

Proven 

Technology Cost-Effective Maintain Performance 

Product Category 

Broadly 

Available? 

Proper Use Issues? 

Installation 

Issues? Systems/

Design 

Issues? 

Proven?

History of Issues? 

Simple Payback

Regional climate 

Issues? 

Performance Issues 

Identified

Appliances Clothes washers Yes No No No Yes No 3-5 yrs No No Dehumidifiers Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Dishwashers Yes No No No Yes No 3 yrs No No Refrigerators and freezers Yes No No No Yes No 3-5 yrs No No Room air conditioners Yes No No No Yes No 0-5 yrs Yes13 No Room air cleaners Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Heating and Cooling Boilers Yes No No Yes14 Yes No <1 yr Yes 13 No Ceiling fans Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Central air conditioners and air source heat pumps 

Yes No Yes14 Yes 14 Yes No <5yrs15 Yes 13 No 

Furnaces Yes (gas) No No Yes 14 Yes No <3yrs Yes 13 No Geothermal heat pumps Yes16 No No No Yes No <5yrs Yes 13 No 

12 Function of products currently performed by one basic technology.13 Payback varies depending on heating/cooling loads.14 EPA is launching an HVAC Quality Installation program in 2008 to address proper sizing and other installation issues.15 Significant cooling load is assumed to be >1089 cooling degree days. Includes cities as far north as New York and Philadelphia.
Product 

Available 

Significant Issues 

with Consumer 

Realizing Expected 

Savings or Payback 

Proven 

Technology Cost-Effective Maintain Performance 

Product Category 

Broadly 

Available? 

Proper Use Issues? 

Installation 

Issues? Systems/

Design 

Issues? 

Proven?

History of Issues? 

Simple Payback

Regional climate 

Issues? 

Performance Issues 

Identified

Light commercial HVAC Yes No No No Yes No <1yr Yes 13 No Programmable thermostats 

Yes Yes18 No No Yes No 0 yrs No No 

Ventilating fans Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Home Electronics Battery charging systems Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Cordless phones Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Combination Units Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Digital to Analog (DTA) converters 

N/A19 No No No Yes No 0yrs No No 

DVD products Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No External power adapters Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Home audio Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Televisions Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No VCRs Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Home Envelope Insulation products Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No 

16 Geothermal Heat Pumps are not a typical choice for homeowners in the replacement market. In addition, GTHP application opportunities are constrain

considerations. 

17 Due to the unique nature of Geothermal Heat Pumps, with respect to consumer needs and installation constraints, this specification is different from the 

specification.

18 The savings depend on the consumer’s behavior. EPA is launching an educational campaign in June 2008 to educate consumers on how to use progra

the savings. Depending on the success of the campaign, EPA may sunset this specification.

19 Digital to Analog (DTA) Converters were not on the market until 2008, in preparation for the Feb 2009 transition to digital TV signals. 
Product 

Available 

Significant Issues 

with Consumer 

Realizing Expected 

Savings or Payback 

Proven 

Technology Cost-Effective Maintain Performance 

Product Category 

Broadly 

Available? 

Proper Use Issues? 

Installation 

Issues? Systems/

Design 

Issues? 

Proven?

History of Issues? 

Simple Payback

Regional climate 

Issues? 

Performance Issues 

Identified

Roof products Yes No No No Yes No <4yrs No No Windows, doors, and skylights 

Yes No No No Yes No 0-5 yrs Yes 13 No 

Lighting Compact fluorescent light bulbs 

Yes No No No Yes Yes20 ~1 year No Yes 19 

Decorative light strings Yes No No No Yes Yes21 No No RLFs Yes No No No Yes Yes22 <2yrs No Yes 21 Office Equipment Computers/Monitors Yes No No Yes23 Yes No 0yrs No No Imaging Equipment Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No Commercial Food Service Commercial dishwashers Yes No No No Yes No No No Commercial fryers Yes No No No Yes No 1yr No No Commercial hot food holding cabinets 

Yes No No No Yes No 2 yrs No No 

Commercial ice makers Yes No No No Yes No No No 

20 Performance issues were identified through product testing. In 2008, DOE finalized a revised CFL specification that requires CFL partner participation i

verification program. See Section III.

21 Performance issues have been addressed through enhanced performance requirements in the specifications. 22 Performance issues were identified through product testing. They are being addressed through our Quality Assurance Program. See Section III. 23 Substantial progress has been made working with industry to address network issues associated with power management. In 2008, EPA began promo

through the Low Carbon IT initiative. 
Product 

Available 

Significant Issues 

with Consumer 

Realizing Expected 

Savings or Pa

yback 

Proven 

Technology Cost-Effective Maintain Performance 

Product Category 

Broadly 

Available? 

Proper Use Issues? 

Installation 

Issues? 

Systems/Design 

Issues? 

Proven?

History of Issues? 

Simple Payback

Regional climate 

Issues? 

Performance Issues 

Identified

Commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers 

Yes No No No Yes No 2yrs No No 

Commercial steam c

ookers 

Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No 

Other Vending 

m

achines Yes No No No Yes No <1yr No No 

Water coolers Yes No No No Yes No 0yrs No No 
B. Revising product specifications and adding new product categories 

As described above, EPA and DOE revise product criteria to address changes in the marketplace and 

enhance product energy performance. In addition, EPA and DOE also add new products to the 

ENERGY STAR suite to address new energy savings opportunities of national significance. Since the 

program’s inception in 1992, more than 50 product and service categories have been added to the 

ENERGY STAR suite. In addition, EPA and DOE are currently reviewing existing and new products 

for specification revision or development. Table 10 shows the history of ENERGY STAR criteria 

development and specification revisions since the program’s inception and indicates where revisions 

are under consideration. Table 11 shows new products for which EPA and DOE are currently in the 

process of drafting ENERGY STAR specifications. 

In addition to the guiding principles outlined above, EPA and DOE have undertaken revising 

specifications to respond to concerns industry has raised regarding product quality (as in the case of 

CFLs) and energy performance testing procedures (as in the case of dishwashers). 

As new and revised specifications come into effect or are suspended or sunset from the ENERGY 

STAR program, EPA and DOE follow general procedures to inform industry and ensure that products 

that no longer qualify for the label are phased out of supply channels by a specified period of time: 

•	 Draft decisions regarding modification or suspension of specifications are sent to all 

manufacturing partners and other interested stakeholders indicating proposed effective dates 

for new specifications or rescission of discontinued specifications. For specifications that are 

being suspended, interested stakeholders are given a period of four weeks to comment. For 

specification revisions, a “no grandfathering” clause is highlighted in the draft indicating that 

any product sold, manufactured, or identified by the manufacturing partner as ENERGY STAR 

must meet the current specification in effect at the time the product is manufactured. 

•	 Final specifications are sent to all manufacturing partners and other interested stakeholders 

with a cover memorandum highlighting the following: “ENERGY STAR qualification is not 

automatically granted for the life of the product model. To carry the ENERGY STAR mark a 

product model must meet the version of the ENERGY STAR specification in effect on the 

model's date of manufacture." 

•	 All documents related to specification revisions and rescissions including cover memoranda are 

posted on www.energystar.gov. Once a revised specification becomes effective, only those 

product models meeting the new specification are listed on the qualified product lists on 

www.energystar.gov. All others are removed. In addition, only information on the new 

specification is included on the product Web pages. Information on previous specifications is 

archived. Products that no longer qualify due to a specification rescission are similarly removed. 

•	 Manufacturers that continue to mislabel non-qualified products or that fail to respond to letters 

from EPA will have their Partnership Agreements revoked (if they are partners) and are 

subject to legal action. 

61 
C. Revising homes specifications 

To ensure market differentiation and to fulfill the ENERGY STAR brand promise of cost-effective 

energy efficiency and environmental performance, the specification for ENERGY STAR qualified 

homes has been revised three times since it was first launched in the fall of 1995. Table 12 shows the 

major revisions to the specification. 

62 
Table 10. History of ENERGY STAR Product Specification Development and Revision 

(as of January 1, 2008) 

CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

APPLIANCES Clothes washers May 1997 Jan 1, 2007 25% 30%** S The new criteria, effective January 1, 2007

incorporates updated criteria for the minimModified Energy Factor (MEF) of 1.72 and new maximum Water Factor (WF) of 8.0. Based on criteria released March 7, 2008, DOE will revise the ENERGY STAR critera two phase revision. The first revision wileffective July 1, 2009 and the second will effective January 1, 2011. 

Dehumidifiers Jan 2001 Oct 1, 2007 55% 15% Extended Industry Standard Architecture 

(EISA) establishes ENERGY STAR Tier 3 a standard effective October 1, 2012. 

Dishwashers Jun 1996 Jan 1, 2007 60% 20%**S The new specification, effective January 1, 

2007 incorporated updated criteria for the minimum Energy Factor (EF) for standard-sand compact models. EPACT 2005 requireanother revision to be final by the end of 20with an effective date in 2010. 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

Refrigerators and freezers 

Jun 1996 Apr 28, 2008 35%*** 15% S The new specification, effective April 28, 

2008, requires standard refrigerators to be 20% more efficient than the Federal stand

Room air conditioners Oct 1996 Nov 16, 2005 40% 10% S In October 2005, the ENERGY STAR crite

were expanded to include all categories oroom air conditioners. 

Room air cleaners Jul 2004 Jul 1, 2004 15% 45% No changes scheduled at this time. HEATING AND COOLING Boilers Jun 1996 Apr 1, 2002 50% (Gas) 

70% (Oil) 

5% S April 2002 version expanded definition of 

boiler to include combination space heatinand water heating appliances. 

Ceiling fans Jan 2002 Sep 1, 2006 35% (ceiling 

fans only) 

1% (ceiling fans 

with lighting) 

1% (ceiling fan 

light kits) 

45% In 2006, EPA revised the specification to 

make it easier for ceiling fan partners to identify those requirements that apply specifically to light kits by adding an AppeA. All other elements of the specification remain unchanged. 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

Air source heat pumps Central air conditioners 

Apr 1995 Apr 1, 2006 22% 

(air source heat 

pumps) 

18% 

(central air 

conditioners) 

10% S 

(air source 

heat pumps) 

15% S 

(central air 

conditioners) 

In 2004, EPA revised the central air conditioner/air source heat pump specificain response to the new federal minimum standards which match the ENERGY STA13 SEER requirement (new minimum standards became effective January 1, 20Tier 1, effective April 1, 2006, requires 14 SEER to qualify. In January 2009, this SElevel will increase to 14.5 for split systemsBoth Tiers 1 and 2 also include EER requirements. 

Furnaces Apr 1995 Oct 27, 2006 35% (Gas) 

6% (Oil) 

15% S Effective October 27, 2006, EPA revised t

ENERGY STAR furnace specification to require a more appropriate annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) level for oil furnaces that takes into account the technchallenges of oil technologies and product availability, particularly in the Northeastern United States. EPA discussed feasibility odeveloping furnace fan requirements, but discussions indicated a need to delay the inclusion of these requirements. EPA is, however, proposing a new Tier II AFUE requirement for gas furnaces of 92%, effective in 2009. 

Geothermal heat pumps 

Apr 1995 Apr 1, 2001 2%**** 30% S No changes planned at this time. 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

Light commercial HVAC 

Jan 2002 Jan 1, 2004 30% 5% S Under review in light of EPAct standard go

into effect in 2010. 

Programmable thermostats 

Apr 1995 Apr 1, 1995 35% NA Since 2002, EPA has been working with 

industry stakeholders to determine the besway to revise and implement a programmathermostat specification such that energy savings are maximized and realized. Baseon field studies of consumer behavior that were performed after this revision process began, EPA has since proposed a transitiofrom a performance specification to a consumer education campaign. If a new performance specification cannot be finaliby March 2009, the existing specification wexpire effective December 31, 2009. 

Ventilating fans Jun 2001 Oct 1, 2003 13% 70% Under review for potential revision to add 

additional test procedures. 

HOME ELECTRONICS Battery charging systems 

Jan 2006 Jan 1, 2006 .2% 

(Specification 

launched in 

2006) 

30% The battery charging system specification 

was designed to complement the ENERGSTAR external power supply (EPS) specification. Together the two specificatiocover virtually all portable electronic devic
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

This allows EPA to address the energy usa variety of end use products without developing individual specifications for theproducts. EPA is currently monitoring efforts to devea new performance-based test procedure battery charger systems, which is anticipato lead to a specification revision. 

Cordless phones Jan 2002 Nov 1, 2006 20% 55% As a result of revisions to the ENERGY ST

specification for external power supplies, nperformance requirements for all cordless phones will be effective November 1, 2008

Combination units Jan 1998 Jul 1, 2005 10% 40% The Combination Units under this spec ar

DVD/VCRs, TV/DVDs, and TV/VCRs. Beginning Nov 2008, DVD/VCRs will be covered under the DVD spec. TV/DVDs aTV/VCRs will be covered under the TV sp

Digital to analog (DTA) converters 

Jan 2007 Jan 31, 2007 NA 50% Digital to analog (DTA) converter boxes m

incorporate an auto-power down feature to automatically switch from the On mode to Sleep mode without user input. The DTA category does not include converters that 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

work with satellite or cable digital signals, does it cover devices with multi-functionalsuch as a DVD player with a digital to anaconversion capability. The U.S. will shift to digital-only TV broadcasts in February 200

DVD products Jan 1999 Jan 1, 2003 9% 40% Under review for potential revision. External power adapters 

Jan 2005 Jan 1, 2005 30% 35% In April 2008, EPA finalized Tier 2 for exte

power supplies with more stringent no-loaand active levels. Tier 2 is effective November 1, 2008. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 established the current (Tier 1) ENERGY STAR specification as the federal standareffective July 1, 2008. 

Home audio Jan 1999 Jan 1, 2003 25-30% 35% Under review for potential revision. Set-top boxes Jan 2001 NA NA NA The ENERGY STAR set-top box (STB) 

specification was officially suspended as oMay 31, 2005 due to the need for extensivresearch prior to setting new requirementsIn 2007, EPA began developing a new ENERGY STAR specification for complex top boxes, as well as a complementary 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

partnership program for cable service providers. The specification and service provider partnership requirements were finalized in April 2008 and will be effective January 1, 2009. 

Televisions Jan 1998 Jul 1, 2005 60% 20% In November 2008, a new ENERGY STAR 

specification for TVs will be effective, whicaddresses both active and standby power

VCRs Jan 1998 Jul 1, 2005 2% 55% EPA has suspended the ENERGY STAR 

specification for VCRs in light of diminishinsales, effective November 1, 2008. 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

HOME ENVELOPE Insulation products 1995 2002 NA NA In 2002, EPA updated the insulation 

specification (Version. 2.0), insulation products logo, and incorporated promotion insulation into the Home Sealing marketinplatform to promote home envelope improvement. 

Roof products Feb 1999 Dec 31, 2007 10% 

 Residential 

25% 

Commercial 

NA Due to absence of conclusive data, EPA 

determined that establishing an emissivity requirement for a national program is not yfeasible and elected not to pursue it as pathe recent revision. Manufacturers are required to report emissivity data for postion the ENERGY STAR Qualified Product 

Windows, doors, and skylights 

Mar 1998 Sep 19, 2005 55%^ NA DOE is in preliminary discussions with 

industry and stakeholders to require all qualified windows to have the Insulated G(IG) Units certified against a third party (e.ANSI) standard. In addition, two potential elements include separate criteria for doothat differentiate between opaque and glaas well as an air leakage requirement. Changes are proposed to be effective in 2009. 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

LIGHTING Compact fluorescent lamps 

Oct 1999 Jan 1, 2004 20% 75% Version 4.0, effective December 2, 2008, 

increases efficacy of lamps; creates specicategories to encourage manufacture of covered, dimming and multi-way lamps; specifies CCT color ranges and chromatictolerances; specifies CRI requirements antolerances; limits outliers on lumen maintenance requirements; requires ElevaTemperature Testing of reflector products applicable to indoor use/recessed cans; ainitiates Third Party Testing and VerificatioProgram financed by manufacturers. 

Decorative light strings Aug 2007 Mar 1, 2008 NA 70% In 2007, EPA with the help of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), set criteria f

decorative light strings based on electricalifetime, and weathering requirements. 

Exit signs Sep 1996 Aug 1, 2004 35% NA S EPAct 2005 adopted ENERGY STAR requirements for exit signs. As a result, EP

suspended the ENERGY STAR exit sign specification effective May 2008. 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

RLFs Jun 1997 Oct 1, 2005 5% 75% Version 4.1adds testing and performance 

requirements for self-ballasted GU24 baselamps. To allow sufficient time for fixture manufacturers to transition to GU24 based lamps which have passed the AcceleratedCycling, Thermal, and Voltage stress test, new GU24 requirements under version 4.are mandatory as of August 1, 2008. 

Traffic Signals Sep 2000 NA NA NA S EPAct 2005 adopted ENERGY STAR 

requirements for traffic signals. As a resuEPA suspended the ENERGY STAR traffisignal specification effective May 2007 

OFFICE EQUIPMENT Computers Jun 1992 Jul 20, 2007 NA 25% Version 5.0, scheduled to go into effect Ju

2009, will make use of a single benchmarmetric that will provide increased design flexibility for energy efficiency while maintaining product capability and allowinthe ENERGY STAR specification to maintrelevance in the dynamic IT market. 

Monitors Jun 1992 Jan 1, 2006 50% (LCDs) 35% EPA is currently reviewing the monitor 

specification for possible revisions effectiv2009. 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

Copiers Jul 1995 Apr 2007 50% 20% 

In 2007, EPA revised and consolidated t

four separate imaging equipment 

Digital Duplicators Apr 2007 Apr 1, 2007 NA NA specifications into a single specification 

addressing total energy consumption (TE

EPA is currently working to establish Tie

levels, which will go into effect in July 20

Multi-Function Devices Apr 1997 Apr 1, 2007 50% 25% 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

Printers, fax machines, and mailing machines 

Jan 1993 (printers) Jul 1995 (fax machines) Nov 2000 (mailing machines) 

Apr 1, 2007 50% 15% 

printer 

40% 

Fax 

NA 

Mail Machine In 2007, EPA revised and consolidated t

four separate imaging equipment 

specifications into a single specification 

addressing total energy consumption (TE

EPA is currently working to establish Tie

levels, which will go into effect in July 20

Scanners Apr 1997 Apr 1, 2007 50% 10% COMMERCIAL FOOD SERVICE Commercial dishwashers 

Oct 2007 Oct 11, 2007 NA 25% High and low under-counter temp, single t

door type, single tank conveyor, and multitank conveyor machines are all eligible for 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

ENERGY STAR. Qualified models must mmaximum gallons per rack requirements during the final rinse and use less energy while idling between wash cycles. 

Commercial fryers Aug 2003 Aug 15, 2003 12% 20% No changes planned at this time. Commercial hot food holding cabinets 

Aug 2003 Aug 15, 2003 18% 65% No changes planned at this time. 

Commercial ice makers Jan 2008 Jan 1, 2008 NA 15% EPA is considering adding flake and nugg

machines to the specification in 2009. 

Commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers 

Sep 2001 Sep 1, 2001 40% 35% Specification covers commercial solid doo

refrigerators, freezers, combination refrigerator/freezers, and ice-cream freezeEPA is considering revisiting the specificato expand to models used in laboratory applications, such as medical and biotechnology applications. Current performance levels will also be revisited in response to new DOE minimum standards that adopt ENERGY STAR levels, effectivJanuary 1, 2010. 

Commercial steam cookers 

Aug 2003 Aug 1, 2003 15% 50% No revisions planned at this time. 
CURRENT SPECIFICATION DISCUSSION 

Product Category 

Effective Date 

of Original 

Specification 

Effective Date 

of Current 

Specification 

2007 

Estimated 

Market 

Share* (% of 

Total Sales/ 

Shipments) 

of Qualified 

Products 

Percent 

Savings 

Over 

Typical 

Product* 

(S indicates 

federal 

standard 

exists) 

Discussion of Recent and 

Anticipated Specification Revis

Activities 

OTHER Transformers Apr 1995 NA NA NA S EPAct 2005 adopted ENERGY STAR 

requirements for transformers. As a resultEPA suspended the ENERGY STAR transformer specification, effective May 20

Vending machines Apr 2004 Apr 1, 2004 

July 1, 2007 

22% 40% This ENERGY STAR specification initially 

applied only to newly manufactured machmodels. However, given the large remanufactured machine market, EPA expanded the program to rebuilt machines

Water coolers Sep 2000 May 19, 2004 45% 45% EPA will revisit this product category in 20

for possible revision to performance criter

* Source: Sanchez, M., C.A. Webber, R.E. Brown, and G.K. Homan. 2007. Status Report: Savings Estimates for the ENERGY STAR Volunt

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. (LBNL-56380 (2007)) and other supporting spreadsheets. ** Percent Savings is based on average non-ENERGY STAR model compared to average ENERGY STAR model because so ma

federal standard. This comparison is more accurate than comparing federal minimum standard vs. ENERGY STAR minimum s

*** Market penetration (MP) for refrigerators only; MP for freezers not provided in shipment data. **** Percent of ENERGY STAR qualified geothermal heat pumps as a percent of U.S. total heat pump market. The percentage of ENERGY 

heat pumps as a percent of U.S. total geothermal heat pump market is 55%. 

^ As reported in Study of the U.S. Market for Windows, AAMA/WDMA 2006. 
Table 11. New Products Currently Being Evaluated for ENERGY STAR Label Eligibility 

Product category Agency lead Discussion 

Water heaters DOE Final criteria will be released on April 2008 with 

an effective date of January 1, 2009. 

Packaged terminal air 

conditioners and heat pumps 

DOE Due to mandated changes to both the federal 

standard and the required coolant, the 

ENERGY STAR criteria for PTACs have been 

delayed. DOE will look into the possibility of 

developing criteria once the federal standard is 

announced to take effect the same day as the 

federal standard takes effect. 

Solid-state Lighting 

Luminaires 

DOE Final criteria were released September 2007 

with effective date of September 2008 for an 

initial set of lighting product categories. 

Commercial Griddles EPA Commercial griddles will be added to the suite 

of commercial foodservice products. Initial 

research has shown that there are existing 

technologies available in the griddle market 

that offer significant energy savings. 

Enterprise Servers EPA A new ENERGY STAR specification for 

enterprise servers is in development. Draft 1 of 

the computer server specification is complete 

and awaiting stakeholder review. Elements of 

server efficiency EPA is hoping to address 

include the wide range of products, power 

supply efficiency, and idle power. In addition 

there will be standard information reporting 

requirements, power and temperature 

measurement requirements, power 

management and virtualization requirements, 

and energy efficiency performance 

benchmarks. 

Data Storage Devices EPA As a complement to its work on Enterprise 

Servers, EPA is considering a specification for 

Data Storage Devices. 

77
Table 12. Revisions to Homes Specifications 

Home Type Specification 

Effective 

Dates 

Cumulative Energy 

Savings Dis

Pre – 2000 era Site built only 

30 percent more efficient than 1993 Model Energy Code (MEC), verified by HERS rating score of ≥ 86 

1995 – 

1999 

50 million kWh 4 million therms 

Measurement protoHERS Guidelines (Reference Home) 

2000 – 2005 era Site built 

HERS rating score ≥ 86 or 15 

percent better than state energy code, whichever is more stringent 

2000 – 

2005 

2,440 million kWh 185 million therms 

Measurement proto(National AssociatiOfficials) National HTechnical Guideline(uses 1993 MEC a

Mfg. Same as above 2000 – 2005 70 million kWh 5 million therms Same as above 

Total 2000 – 2005 2,510 million kWh 190 million therms 

2006 – on Site built 

HERS Index ≤ 80 in cold climates, ≤

85 in hot climates, or built to the national BOP, or 15 percent better than state energy code, whichever is more stringent 

2006 – on 2,765 million kWh 212 million therms 

Measurement protoMortgage Industry Rating Standards (Reference Home) achecklist 

Mfg. 

Builder Option packages designed to achieve a 30 percent energy savings over governing codes for manufactured housing 

2006 – on 105 million kWh 8 million therms BOP protocols dev

Total 2870 million kWh 220 million therms 
Section VI. 	 Ensuring compliance with other Partnership 

Agreement requirements 

EPA and DOE have invested significantly in pursuing both the voluntary and required data submission 

provisions of some Partnership Agreements. Tracking the market share of ENERGY STAR qualified 

products helps inform future specification revisions and program progress in delivering energy savings 

and related greenhouse gas emission reductions. EPA and DOE monitor both manufacturer shipment 

data and retailer sales data. 

A. Manufacturer shipment data 

As detailed previously in Table 3, product manufacturers for some categories are required to annually 

provide unit shipment data, provide other market indicators to assist in determining the market 

penetration of ENERGY STAR qualified units by model or provide an equivalent measurement as 

agreed to in advance by EPA and the partner. Since 2002, EPA has collected data from partners on 

their annual shipments of ENERGY STAR qualified products to the United States. Shipment data was 

added as a requirement to Partnership Agreements for all EPA managed product categories that have 

been revised or developed since 2001. Currently, shipment data is required in 27 EPA product 

categories, up from 19 in 2004. In addition, DOE requires shipment data for manufacturers of CFLs 

and other ENERGY STAR qualified products. 

Partners who do not comply with requirements to provide shipment data are sent reminders and 

warning letters notifying them that they will be suspended from the program if they do not comply with 

the requirement by a specified date. Once a partnership has been suspended, company partnership 

information and products submitted to EPA as ENERGY STAR qualified are removed from the 

ENERGY STAR Web site for a minimum of 3 months. If a partner submits data prior to the end of the 

3-month suspension period, the partner can be reinstated. Those that do not comply with data 

requirements within the suspension period have their Partnership Agreements in the relevant product 

category terminated and must reapply for partnership and re-qualify all of their products to be 

reinstated. 

In 2006, 678 companies were required to submit ENERGY STAR unit shipment data. By May 25, 

2006, 573 had submitted data. The remaining 105 companies were notified that their Partnership 

Agreements were being suspended. By September 10, 2006, an additional 53 companies had 

submitted data. The remaining 52 companies were notified that their Partnership Agreements were 

being terminated for not complying with the ENERGY STAR Partnership requirement to submit unit 

shipment data. As shown below in Table 13, 92 percent of partners with mandatory requirements for 

market data submission were in compliance with this provision of the Partnership Agreement. 

79 
Table 13. Compliance with Manufacturer Product Shipment Data Requirement 

Product Category 2004 Responses 

2004 Total 

Required to 

Respond 

2004 

Response 

Rate (%) 

2005 

Responses 

2005 Total 

Required to 

Respond 

2005 

Response 

Rate (%) 

20

Resp

Appliances Clothes washers NA NA NA NA NA NA N

Dehumidifiers 13 13 100% 15 16 94% Dishwashers NA NA NA NA NA NA NRefrigerators and freezers NA NA NA NA NA NA NRoom air conditioners NA NA NA NA NA NA NRoom air cleaners No specification -- 10 11 91% 

Heating and Cooling 

Boilers 26 29 90% 21 26 81% Ceiling fans 21 23 91% 25 25 100% Central air conditioners and air source heat pumps* 

Requirement 

temporarily 

suspended -- 14 17 82% 

Furnaces 22 23 96% 23 24 96% Geothermal heat pumps 9 9 100% 8 12 67% Light commercial HVAC* 

Requirement 

temporarily 

suspended Not Reported -- 7 9 78% 

Programmable thermostats -- -- -- -- -- Ventilating fans 9 9 100% 10 10 100% 

Home Electronics 

Battery charging systems No Specification -- --

No 

Specification --

4 

Cordless phones 3 5 60% 3 4 75% Combination units -- -- -- -- -- External power adapters No specification -- 14 14 100% Home audio/DVD products 11 18 61% 9 9 100% TVs/VCRs 20 26 77% 17 18 94% 

Home Envelope 

Insulation and air sealing (home sealing) -- -- -- -- -- Roof products 169 185 91% 160 178 89% 1Windows, doors, and skylights NA NA NA NA NA NA N
2004 Total 2004 2005 Total 2005 

Product Category 2004 Responses 

Required to 

Respond 

Response 

Rate (%) 

2005 

Responses 

Required to 

Respond 

Response 

Rate (%) 

20

Resp

Lighting Compact fluorescent 

lamps 54 90 60% 60 80 75% NExit signs 39 43 91% 40 42 95% RLFs 63 66 95% 71 76 93% Traffic signals 7 9 78% 8 8 100% 

Office Equipment Computers -- -- -- -- -- 

Copiers, Digital Duplicators -- -- -- -- -- Monitors -- -- -- 35 41 85% Multi-function devices -- -- -- -- -- Printers, fax machines, and mailing machines -- -- -- -- -- Scanners -- -- -- -- -- 

Commercial Food Service 

Commercial hot food holding cabinets 7 7 100% 8 8 100% Commercial fryers 5 5 100% 5 5 100% Commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers 14 16 88% 16 17 94% Commercial steam cookers 7 7 100% 7 7 100% 

Other Transformers 20 21 95% 25 26 96% 

Vending machines New product** -- 3 3 100% Water coolers 10 12 83% 12 12 100% 

Total 529 616 86% 686 778 88% 6

* Due to suspension of the EER requirement for the Residential CAC/ASHP from November 30, 2003 to August 4, 2005, E

would have been difficult for the manufacturers to determine shipments of ENERGY STAR qualified units in 2004. Given thresidential CAC/ASHP and light commercial HVAC models, EPA also suspended data requirements from manufacturers of products in 2004. ** Vending machines were introduced as a product category in 2004; as such a full year's worth of data was unavailable at "--" indicates shipment data not a requirement during that year.
B. Retailer sales data 

Since 1998, ENERGY STAR has collected retail appliance sales data from participating national 

ENERGY STAR retail partners. The current ENERGY STAR retail program requirements specifically 

note that retailers of clothes washers, dishwashers, room air conditioners, and refrigerators are 

required to submit quarterly “sales data or other market indicators.” The data requested are: 

• Type of product purchased 

• Total inventory in units 

• Number of ENERGY STAR qualified units sold, with the manufacturer model number 

• Store location 

• Date of sale 

A number of national retailers submit appliance data for aggregation and publishing and have since 

1997. However, no retailer submits sales data that meet all of the above requirements. 

Several barriers impede the process of publishing quarterly ENERGY STAR qualified product sales 

data, including: 

• Limited retailer resources 

• Retail staffing changes 

• Competitive and confidentiality concerns 

• Product identification/tracking/reporting difficulties 

Due to competitive and confidentiality concerns, a key condition of receiving data is that no data are 

submitted directly to ENERGY STAR but rather to private companies, which are not subject to 

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The private companies work to ensure that no individual 

retailer sales can be identified from the aggregated sales data and does not identify individual 

participating retailers. Confidentiality is protected by aggregating data and ensuring that a minimum of 

three large retailers participate. This threshold is meant to 1) provide sufficient data for analysis and 2) 

protect against identification of sources of sales data. 

It is important to note that the retail partner program requirements do not include submission of CFL 

data at this time. But, DOE and EPA are in the process of updating the sales data language for the 

ENERGY STAR retail/e-tail program requirements that will require the submission of quarterly sales 

data for additional qualified products, including CFLs and RLFs. In 2007, however, major retailers 

voluntarily began submitting data for residential lighting products. 

Conclusion 

The increasing introduction of new and enhanced energy-efficient technologies and products 

represents great success and brings new challenges for the ENERGY STAR program. The dynamic 

nature of the program demands that EPA and DOE continue to adapt program offerings, product 

specifications, and brand management to meet these challenges. The current monitoring activities 

and testing protocols help ensure that EPA and DOE are maintaining the value of ENERGY STAR 

today and for the future. 

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