What is ENERGY STAR and why should you care?

Chances are, you’ve seen it: that blue square ENERGY STAR® logo plastered on the front of appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, air conditioners, washing machines and dryers. 

Without much fanfare, these appliances quietly go about their business of energy efficiency — saving you money and helping to save the planet. 

Here’s what you need to know about that powerful little label.

What does the ENERGY STAR® label mean?

ENERGY STAR® is a widely recognized and trusted label on products that meet strict energy-efficiency requirements set by the EPA. ENERGY STAR® products are third-party certified and subject to ongoing verification.

Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR® seal help consumers save energy and money without sacrificing performance. By using less energy, these products also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. 

Today, the ENERGY STAR® label can be found on more than 75 different kinds of products in the home and office including light bulbs, appliances, consumer electronics, and heating and cooling equipment. 

ENERGY STAR® appliances use an average of 10 to 30% less energy than equivalent products. Learn more at www.energystar.gov.

Kenmore and Sears win 2019 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Awards

Each year, the EPA honors a group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements.  

Kenmore, along with parent company Sears, is proud to be recognized by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy as ENERGY STAR® Partners of the Year. Awarded for the second year in a row in the category of Product Brand Owner, Kenmore offers over 500 ENERGY STAR® certified and Most Efficient rated products. 

The 1.2 million ENERGY STAR® products sold by Kenmore in 2018 alone saved approximately 158 million kilowatt hours of energy and about 259 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, which equates to the emissions of a whopping 25,000 cars.    

Last year, Sears became the first company to win the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award in three categories: Retailer, Energy Management and Brand Owner. With its long history as an ENERGY STAR® partner, Sears received the highest honor among ENERGY STAR® Awards once again in 2019 — the Sustained Excellence Award — for the company’s long-term commitment to energy efficiency in all three categories. 

Benefits of using Kenmore ENERGY STAR® appliances

In the past, the government has offered tax incentives for purchasing ENERGY STAR® appliances. And while the tax incentive program has mostly expired, there are still ample benefits, including:

• Reduced energy costs
  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR® appliances can reduce your usage and costs by as much as 50%. 
• Environmentally friendly
  ENERGY STAR® appliances aren’t just good for your pocketbook. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and our reliance on fossil fuels, which is good for the environment, too. 
• More convenience
  Energy Star appliances are also more convenient, saving you time and energy. For example, running the laundry in an ENERGY STAR® washer and dryer means that you can wash more clothes in a single load and dry them faster. Fewer loads of laundry + less time per load = You clearing the DVR.  

Save money while you save the planet

With skyrocketing energy costs and environmental concerns, we’re all looking for ways to save money and do our part for energy conservation. While you may be feeling thrifty for continuing to rock that washing machine from the 90s, it’s actually costing you more in the long run.

Consider that an energy efficient Kenmore washing machine can save up to 33,000 gallons of water and almost $500 over the product’s lifetime. A Kenmore fridge could save you nearly $270 in operating costs over five years, and is 9% more efficient than a conventional refrigerator. 

Upgrading to Kenmore’s lineup of ENERGY STAR® appliances is an easy way to make your home more energy efficient — and save a few bucks while you’re at it. Just look for that little blue label.