ABOUT ENERGY STAR
The ENERGY STAR® program was established under President George H.W. Bush in 1992 under the authority of the Clean Air Act and later codified under President George W. Bush in Sec. 131 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The program is among the most popular and effective public-private partnerships in the federal government. Its blue trademark logo is among the most widely recognized symbols in retail, with nearly nine in 10 people saying that they recognize the logo. Not only that, but two-thirds say that it has influenced their purchasing decisions.
ENERGY STAR PROGRAM IMPACT DWARFS FUNDING
Its impact has grown with its popularity, though its annual funding has shrunk by nearly half. ENERGY STAR, which is currently jointly administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) consistently punches above its weight. Since 1992, the program has saved American families and businesses more than $500 billion in energy costs, though it has received less than $1 billion in appropriations in its 33-year history.
Consider these breakdowns: The ENERGY STAR program saved Americans $42 billion in energy cost savings in 2020 alone. Between FY2007 and FY2011, funding averaged just $58 million annually with EPA providing 87% of the total and DOE kicking in the remainder. If program funding had kept pace with inflation since 1992, the annual budget would be roughly $85 million today. In FY2024, the program received $32.1 million from EPA and $3.6 million from DOE.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS MULTIPLY ECONOMIC IMPACTS
Because it is a partnership with private-sector enterprises, each Federal dollar invested in ENERGY STAR leverages $230 in private investment and has returned nearly $350 each year in energy cost savings. More than 15,000 private-sector entities—including 840 utilities, 1,800 manufacturers, and 1,200 retailers—voluntarily choose to leverage the visibility and influence of the ENERGY STAR brand in partnership with the federal program, reaching 95% of households in all 50 states.
ENERGY STAR IMPROVES AFFORDABILITY AND HOUSEHOLD ENERGY SECURITY
American households that choose ENERGY STAR can save roughly $450 on their energy bills each year thanks to the increased energy efficiency of certified products. Many Americans choose ENERGY STAR, with more than 400 million certified products sold in 2022 and annual sales of more than $100 billion.
ENERGY STAR AIDS GRID RELIABILITY AND RESILIENCE
ENERGY STAR-certified buildings, appliances and equipment are at the top of their class in reducing energy waste. Reducing energy demand directly aids the reliability and resilience of the larger grid by improving headroom all hours of the day, especially critical at times of peak strain. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR has avoided 5 trillion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity consumption, including a 2020 avoidance of 520 billion kWh.
ENERGY STAR SUPPORTS LOCAL JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN EVERY COMMUNITY
The ENERGY STAR program is an economic engine. Of the 2.3 million workers in the energy efficiency sector, more than 790,000 are supported by ENERGY STAR. These jobs are led by construction and manufacturing. Among the energy sector, two-in-five workers are employed in energy efficiency, which added 75,000 in 2023. With 391,000 energy efficiency businesses in the United States, the workforce is located in 99.9% of U.S. counties.
AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE BEGINS BY REDUCING ENERGY WASTE AT HOME
The United States is expected to require dramatically more power over the next decade. In order to meet the need for energy due to the re-shoring of manufacturing, America’s leadership in artificial intelligence, and massive data center buildout, we simply must look to manage the demand side of the equation. Energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest, and cleanest way to meet energy goals. For more than three decades, ENERGY STAR has proven that energy efficiency is popular and that consumers want ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and products, homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants.
ENERGY STAR is popular. It creates jobs. It leverages private sector funds. It reduces household energy bills. And it rewards performance. ENERGY STAR leads the industry in efficiency and reputation, backed by the federal government.
About the Alliance to Save Energy
Through research, education, and outreach, the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) is the leading advocate for federal energy efficiency policy. ASE champions the power of putting energy efficiency first for a broad coalition of members including utility providers, manufacturers, and retailers.
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