Energy Star Thermostats Equal Energy Savings
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Ever wonder what it means for an appliance to be Energy Star listed? Products emblazoned with the iconic Energy Star logo have met government energy efficiency standards. The benefits of owning an Energy Star thermostat:
What is Energy Star?Energy Star is a government program that designates appliances that are especially energy efficient. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy created this program to protect the environment, by giving consumers an economic incentive to buy green home appliances. The government sought to provide homeowners with a simple way to incorporate more environmentally friendly products into their household. In turn, homeowners reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy bills. If one in 10 American households was entirely equipped with Energy Star approved products, the reduction in emissions would be comparable to planting 1.7 million acres of trees. How Energy Star Thermostats WorkEnergy Star thermostats preserve energy through their programming. It's not that the thermostat device itself uses less electricity, it offers precise programming to optimize your AC and heater use. Essentially, it minimizes the use of your heater and air conditioner to reduce excess. By carefully programming the thermostat according to your schedule, it saves energy by automatically turning off when you aren't at home. All Energy Star thermostats are programmable; nonprogrammable models don't have the technical capabilities to meet EPA standards for Energy Star listing.
The most significant criterion for Energy Star listing is meeting a certain standard for energy efficiency. This threshold varies widely between different appliance categories. To be considered qualified, thermostats must be sold by with default energy saving system; the thermostat must maintain weekday and weekend schedules, with settings for at least four time periods per day. Energy Star products must be up-to-snuff with current standards. This means that to earn the Energy Star label, a thermostat must "deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers." The official website goes on to state that if an Energy Star product costs more than less environmentally friendly equivalent, then the consumer must be able to recoup their investment through utility bill savings within a reasonable timeframe. Qualified products must pass the same rigorous safety standards as all products; furthermore, energy consumption must be measurable and verifiable. How Energy Star Thermostats Save You Money
When used correctly, Energy Star thermostats save up to 33% of energy, or $180 dollars a year for a typical household. Ideally, installing an Energy Star thermostat reduces electricity use, which in turn offsets carbon emissions. Lowering pollution benefits the planet, which in the long run could save money. Eventually, if Earth becomes too polluted the damage will have to be reversed. We can only assume American taxpayers will help foot the bill. Aside from the economic burden of reversing pollution, a greener Earth benefits life: human health, agriculture, biodiversity, air quality, and so on. These short-term and long-term savings make it well worth the investment of an Energy Star programmable thermostat. Recommended Units
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