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Cost-Effective ENERGY STAR
®
Qualified Products for Low-Income Homes
The
ENERGY STAR label managed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR label makes it easy to identify energy-efficient products in 30 different categories, including appliances, lighting, heating and cooling systems, and windows.
Today, many ENERGY STAR qualified products are competitively priced with other models. Some ENERGY STAR qualified products cost more at the time of purchase, but yield lifetime savings that more than recoup the purchase price. This site provides a guide for Weatherization agencies to those ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling systems that may be
cost-effective in a low-income home.
For Weatherization providers, when do the extra energy savings from an ENERGY STAR product justify its higher purchase price? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. The extra energy savings from an ENERGY STAR qualified product often depend on the condition of the house and the climate in which it is located. Also, the additional cost of purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified product depends on the location and quantity purchased, and this cost will change over time.
This site shows savings possible from an ENERGY STAR qualified product, and compares them to savings from replacing existing equipment with a standard-efficiency model based on an agency energy audit. However, for the reasons stated above, this site does not replace the thorough energy analysis required for the expenditure of DOE funds.
Visit this site regularly to check for newly labeled products that may prove cost effective in a low-income home. Also visit the product pages on
www.energystar.gov, which provide a wealth of information on where to purchase a qualifying model, efficiency criteria, purchasing tips, and rebates in your area.
Content updated on 9/28/2004
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