Energy Star Helps You Save Money and Go Green


Energy StarIf you’ve been paying attention recently when buying office equipment, appliances, electronics, even light bulbs — chances are you’ve seen the blue “Energy Star” seal.  Products are allowed to carry the Energy Star seal if they meet Federal guidelines for being energy efficient.

Energy Star products help you save energy, in turn helping the environment and saving you money on utility bills.

One of the growing trends I’ve noticed is retailers such as Amazon, and manufacturers such HP, jumping on the green and blue bandwagon.  They are making it easy for you to shop for Energy Star products.  For instance, they are setting up dedicated websites just for green products.  And since an educated consumer is more likely to buy green, they’re also providing advice for how to “green” your business and your life.

About Energy Star

Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.  The program has been around for 16 years.  But as the trend toward going green has accelerated over the past 2 years, after gas and energy costs spiked so high, the Energy Star program seems to be more visible than ever.

Energy Star Home TourThe Energy Star program covers business products as well as consumer products. With business products, the savings can be considerable.  For instance, Energy Star approved printers are 25% more energy efficient. In the home, you likewise can save on energy, even with small moves like changing light bulbs.   Replacing your home’s five most frequently used light bulbs with ENERGY STAR approved ones saves $70 a year.

The Energy Star website itself is packed with helpful tips for saving on energy, and a variety of useful resources, including:

  • Section for small businesses.  This section of the Energy Start website speaks to small business strategies for saving energy.  There you can download a 39-page guide called “Putting Energy into Profits” with tips for saving energy and going green.
  • How to save energy in a typical home.  This section includes an interactive tour of a home (including a home office) showing where you can save money.
  • Listing of Federal tax energy credits.  A comprehensive list of tax credits for becoming more energy efficient.
  • Rebate locator.  You can search by zip code to find Energy Star rebates and special offers covering roughly 50 product categories.

Who’s Selling Energy Star Products?

There are over 40,000 product models carrying the blue Energy Star seal.

Amazon.com’s Green Store sells Energy Star products.  For instance, in the Amazon Green Store Electronics section, all of the electronics, such as telephones and computers, are Energy Star-qualified products.  The Store even has sidebar widgets that display the bestselling Energy Star TVs and LCD monitors.  To help make you a more educated buyer, Amazon Green Store also features a variety of green buying guides.  There’s also the Green Scene blog at Amazon that offers tips about the green life.

Best Buy is another retailer with a section of its website dedicated to Energy Star products.

Green IT for Dummies GuideAnd if it’s brick and mortar retailers you are looking for, the Energy Star website lists major retailers along with links to their store locators.

Product manufacturers also are jumping on board.  HP has its Eco Store website.  They offer the EcoHighlights labeling system for products.  These special labels show key environmental attributes including energy efficiency, packaging and recycling information, in addition to qualifications such as Energy Star.  You can also instantly download a complimentary copy of Green IT for Dummies, a PDF book designed to help businesses go green with their information technology.

Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd.  Do you need a better excuse to look into saving money AND helping the environment?

18 Comments ▼

Anita Campbell Anita Campbell is the Founder, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends and has been following trends in small businesses since 2003. She is the owner of BizSugar, a social media site for small businesses.

18 Reactions
  1. HP has a label of Energy Star on their laptops. I didn’t understand too at first what that means. Now, I do. Thanks for pointing that out to us.

    Go Green!

  2. I purchased a new television last year and it, too, has energy savings features which I think is great. However, I wasn’t aware of the actual Energy Star website itself and I’m going to go over there and check it out now.

    Love the Green It for Dummies, too, and I’ll be planting trees for Earth Day this year as well as cutting back on utility use.

  3. I love the fact that everyone is now focusing on going Green. We have taken the earth and its offerings for granted and in the last 100 years or so, have done more damage to it than any other living creature could’ve done in 1000 years as we are depleting its natural resources at an alarming rate.

    I always look for the Energy Star on new appliances and electronics and its my wish to update some things in my home to be more energy efficient as well. I’m surprised at how many businesses out there are now focused on it as well.

    I still don’t like wheatgrass drinks but intend to stay Green any way I can 🙂

  4. The websites you have listed here are great sources of “green” education. I enjoyed watching the Energy Star podcast, lots of good tips. I’ve started becoming more aware of energy consumption lately. Washing all clothes in cold water and unplugging countertop appliances when not in use. Every little bit helps.

  5. Btw, I forgot to ask. Is energy star only in US or it’s a standard for all countries?

  6. I’ve been in the plumbing and Htg. wholesale as a manufactures representative. the label Energy-Star
    anyone can get with out proof. If the product actially is energy saving, the only way one can be sure is to induvudially ask each manufacture if what they say is fact and prove it. So it goes with the oter labels we have invented like; health food, going green, loose terms to fit a profile to get or offer rebates.

  7. how about this for a green business,
    we are starting to go threw the roof with this
    thanks for looking and would like your moments
    bicycle billboards
    ipedalads.com

  8. I always meet along the “wide road” of Internet about this initiative of anyone, a business owner perhaps, to go Green.

    What do this being green really means? I’m sorry but I quiet don’t get the point.

  9. Boss One, that’s an interesting idea. Taking your ad where your market may be all while saving energy. Awesome.

    Arthur, to be “green” is to be environmentally conscious of your decisions. Conserving energy use, recycling waste, buying recycled products, etc. Hope that helps you understand the term.

  10. Oh I See. Thanks Amanda. Now I should also be “green” conscious on my every decision.

  11. The majority of my appliances are all over 10 years old. With my luck, I’m not exactly expecting them to last another decade. When it’s time to replace them, I fully intend to make sure I buy new appliances that have the energy star seal of approval. I have already purchased a new laptop with the seal. Just trying to do my part a little at a time.

  12. chasitie campbell.

    haha it is really good.
    it savedd us alott of moneyy.
    go with energy starr you cann save too.

  13. I have looked at eco-friendly alternatives, so far I have installed solar panels on my home but while looking for a electric car I find the cost doesnt justify it for me. While I am passionate about making green choices whenever possible it is up to people like you and I to spread awareness and let the companies know there is a demand. Your website looks popular and I think you can help influence society with your insight and eco tips. by the way I found your site by searching Energy Star Helps You Save Money and Go Green and you were the first result. So I think your website is a good platform to discuss ideas that are thought provoking and influence your readers to go green. – Good luck with your site, you deserve it! Please continue to talk about more eco-tips, every idea helps us get closer day by day!