ENERGY STAR TO MEAN MORE EFFICIENT

From the Associated Press: “The government wants more green washing…[Not] more misleading ad campaigns meant to paint corporate practices as environmentally friendly, also known as green washing…[More energy-efficient] standards for washing machines sold with the Energy Star label…”

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is also expanding the kinds of energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) it will give the Energy Star label to.

The washing machine move is expected to save consumers $92.4 million in water and utility bills in its first year.



Energy Star requirements to be tightened; Washing machines will have to be more efficient starting in 2009
March 9, 2008 (AP via MSNBC)

WHO
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)



WHAT
Washers must now be more energy-efficient to earn the DOE/EPA Energy Star label. More kinds of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will qualify.

WHEN
- The more rigid washers standard, in force after July 1, 2009, is expected to save $92.4 million on water and utility bills in its first year.
- Washers will need to be 59% more energy-efficient than present standards to keep the Energy Star label in 2011.
- The 2007 energy bill phases out 100-watt incandescent bulbs in favor of CFLs in 2012 and progressively requires more varieties of CFLs thru 2020.

The more you use it, the more you save. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
Washers must be 43% more efficient than the current standard to get the new (July 1, 2009) Energy Star label.

WHY
- Calculations of washer savings is based on the expectation of 1.9 million machines sold in the first year of the new standard.
- The 2011 standard is expected to save $120 million/year on consumers’ utility bills and also save 11.2 billion gallons of water/year.
- The new CFL standard allows for decorative bulbs for the first time and establishes a maximum amount of the toxic element mercury allowed in the bulbs.
- CFLs use 2/3 the watts of incandescent bulbs because they lose less energy to heat, using more of the watts they draw for light.

Any way you figure it, you save. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
A.P.: “The energy bill signed by President Bush last year calls for incandescent bulbs — which were developed by Thomas Edison — to start being phased out in 2012…”