Content about Energy Star

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched Team Energy Star to help engage and educate American youth and their families about saving energy in the home.

Team Energy Star is giving kids to tools to help protect the climate through easy-to-implement, money-saving actions -- with the help of Dr. Seuss’ the Lorax.

In 1992, Energy Star was launched as the first national, market-driven energy efficiency partnership program of its kind. If EPA’s estimates are to be believed, the effort has worked wonders. According to the EPA, Energy Star has helped save Americans $23 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of 41 million vehicles.

For the second year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named NVR the 2012 Energy Star Partner of the Year for the large home builder category for its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through building Energy Star homes. 

The J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction Study indicates that consumers have increased their desire for energy-efficient windows and patio doors over previous years. 

The proportion of consumers who indicate they purchased Energy Star-qualified windows averaged 95% in the most recent study, demonstrating a high level of importance and awareness of energy-efficient window features and technologies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have named Andersen Corp. as 2011 Energy Star Partner of the Year award winner for the Product Manufacturer – Windows category for its family of brands, including Andersen Windows, Renewal by Andersen, Eagle Window & Door and Silver Line Building Products. It is the second year in a row the company has received this distinction.

A. O. Smith is promoting its water heater plant in Johnson City, Tenn., as the first company facility -- and one of the few facilities in Tennessee -- to earn Energy Star certification.

The 470,000-sq.-ft. Johnson City facility did not set out originally to obtain the Energy Star certification, according to Andy Demski, director of operations. Instead, it was looking at long-term initiatives to reduce the building’s energy and water consumption.

A national poll released Tuesday revealed new incentives will be needed to persuade Americans to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes.

Beginning this year, tax incentives that once rewarded Americans for energy-efficient improvements have been slashed. For many Americans, the survey found, those incentives were a prime reason for making such improvements as replacing windows, adding insulation and buying energy-efficient appliances.

With the clever initials HELP, a program from the state of Pennsylvania has been launched to help homeowners get loans for home energy efficiency projects.

The Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) helps qualified Pennsylvania homeowners take advantage of lower-rate, fixed-term loans for whole home energy efficiency projects.