Buy Energy Star Appliances and Support CAFE Standards

Buy Energy Star Appliances and Support CAFE Standards

With the cost of energy so high recently it is a no brainer to buy Energy Star products and follow their recommendations.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Products
Products in more than 50 categories are eligible for the ENERGY STAR. They use less energy, save money

It does not matter whether you are trying to save on consumer items or business items, Energy Star probably has recommended products for you, including Appliances
Battery Chargers
Clothes Washers
Dehumidifiers
Dishwashers
Refrigerators & Freezers
Room AC
Room Air Cleaners
Water Coolers
Heating & Cooling
Air-source Heat Pumps
Boilers
Central AC
Ceiling Fans
Dehumidifiers
Furnaces
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Home Sealing (Insulation)
Light Commercial
Programmable Thermostats
Room AC
Ventilating Fans
Home Envelope
Home Sealing (Insulation and Air Sealing)
Roof Products
Windows, Doors, & Skylights
Home Electronics
Battery Charging Systems
Cordless Phones
Combination Units
Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes (DTAs)
DVD Products
External Power Adapters
Home Audio
Televisions
VCRs
Office Equipment
Computers
Copiers
External Power Adapters
Fax Machines
Laptops
Mailing Machines
Monitors
Multifunction Devices
Printers
Scanners
Lighting
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
Residential Light Fixtures
Ceiling Fans
Exit Signs
Traffic Signals
Commercial Food Service
Commercial Food Service
Commercial Fryers
Commercial Hot Food Holding Cabinets
Commercial Solid Door Refrigerators & Freezers
Commercial Steam Cookers
Other Commercial Products
Battery Charging Systems
Exit Signs
External Power Adapters
Roof Products
Traffic Signals
Transformers
Vending Machines
Water Coolers

I bought a new Energy Star refrigerator and noticed a $10 monthly savings on my electric bill. I am sold on the Energy Star program. The refrigerator will pay for itself in a few years. I have other Energy Star products in the home including computer monitors, TV monitors, printers, air conditioners, and some lighting. I also tried to follow recommendations on insulating and sealing my home.

There has been much effort made by the Bush administration to provide comprehensive Energy Star guidelines. There is some gossip that they are late in providing all results. They should be applauded for what they have accomplished so far and encouraged to complete the task. They should also be encouraged to mandate compliance to the guidelines.

This is also similar to the CAFE standards for automobiles. Strong CAFE standards were established by prior administrations and other administrations ignored them. This mandated the average fuel use by automobiles in America for new cars each year, with the intent to reduce overall the fuel use over time. CAFE standard right now are a joke meaning they will not meaningfully reduce fuel usage over time in a meaningful amount. The Bush administration should be encouraged to adjust the CAFE standards to reduce fuel usage even more than they do today and in the near future.

I think appliances and other equipment that do not meet minimum standards for Energy Star compliance should be banned. Heavy penalties should be assessed to manufacturers and merchants that offer banned items. Heavy penalties should also be assessed to architects, engineers, utility companies, designers, and others that recommend or specify banned items.

Construction laws for new homes should include Energy Star guidelines. New homes seem to have some qualified kitchen appliances but little else. It is cheaper to add more insulation and sealing as a house is built than to add it later. I do not know why local, state, and federal authorities do not mandate Energy Star for new construction. If I bought a new home today, I would be livid if it was not built to Energy Star standards.

Maybe we need to make energy a national agenda item. I do not think we are making much headway with alternative fuels. And I would like to see 95% of all local, state, and federal automobiles electric plug powered within 10 years. We had them in California and they worked well and the drivers were thrilled with them. The technology has advanced since then and any compaints about plug electric cars are moot today.

Ask your favorite presidential contender, congressperson, governor, and mayor what they think about Energy Star, CAFE Standards, and a national agenda on energy and what they intend to do about it.

Consumers and businesses can save money with Energy Star and CAFE standards but we can also lessen the requirement for new electric power plants, America's dependence on foreign oil, America's use of fossil fuels, and enhance clean air, water, ground, and help prevent global warming.