What Are ENERGY STAR Ratings?

Learn how this trusted symbol empowers you to choose energy-efficient appliances and save money while protecting the environment

Old and dirty appliances have a way of adding to your energy usage. Lint-clogged vents in your dryer may be using more energy to dry clothes, old dishwashers can use more electricity and gallons of water than you realize, and those worn-out refrigerator door gaskets just leak energy.

No one likes to think about the cost of buying new appliances but replacing them with newer models may help you save money in the long run.

How can spending money help me save?

Shop in any appliance store and dryers displayed side by side may be about the same price, but the cost to run them may be dramatically different. Buyers should consider how much it costs to run the appliances, not just how much to buy them.

Thanks to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program, it's possible to compare energy costs on various products. ENERGY STAR helps identify and promote energy-efficient products so consumers like you can save money and help the environment.

Energy guide ratings for appliances will show their typical usage in kilowatt hours per year — the lower the energy number, the more cost efficient it is to run. If you're purchasing appliances, be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR rating and energy guides. An appliance labeled 'Energy Efficient' may be low energy rated but may not meet ENERGY STAR product standards.

Setting the standard

According to the EPA, products receive ENERGY STAR labels if they meet certain criteria.

The ENERGY STAR label focuses on efficiency. An appliance which boasts the ENERGY STAR label isn’t necessarily a better product than a comparable model, but it does meet strict energy efficiency guidelines as set out by that program.

Appliances carrying the ENERGY STAR rating are typically 10 to 20 percent more energy efficient than non-rated models. This means you'll not only save money, but help the environment as well.

Before you begin shopping for any power-reliant product, check out its ENERGY STAR rating at http://energystar.gov/productfinder.

Consumers should also consider the CEE tier I, II, or III rating shown on new washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, or air conditioners – which mean the appliance is even more efficient.

While the CEE rating does not replace an ENERGY STAR rating, it complements it and denotes an appliance that is very efficient.

If you'd like to know how your home measures up in regard to energy efficiency, check out ENERGY STAR’s Home Energy Yardstick.

Not in the market to purchase new ENERGY STAR appliances yet? Don’t wait for unexpected failures to force you into an upgrade – shop our Protection Plans to cover electrical repairs, maintenance, and more.

Terms and conditions contained in the protection plans may limit our contract obligations due to coverage caps, coverage exclusions, and our cash back offer. View plan details for more information.

Terms, conditions, and other restrictions

*Repair claims are limited to $500 per service call and $2,000 per plan in the aggregate per plan term. Plans are provided by NRG Protects Inc. Independent contractors will be performing various services under the plans. In some instances we may make a cash payment in lieu of repairs or replacement in the amount of actual cost, which may be less than retail, to repair or replace any covered system, component, or appliance.

**If your authorized repair technician determines that the water heater is deemed irreparable, we will give you a credit of $500 towards a replacement water heater by your authorized repair technician.

Once repair plans commence, there is a 30-day waiting period before you may request services for a claim. Unless the plan provider elects not to renew the plan, upon expiration of the first year, the plan will automatically renew at the standard rate and terms unless you opt out of the auto-renewal option in writing by mail at P.O. Box 2309, Houston, TX 77252- 2309, by email at cancel@nrgprotects.com or by calling us at 1.855.241.9094. Sales tax will be added in select states.

This is a summary of what the provider will and will not cover under the plan, and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the plan. The Terms and Conditions may limit the provider's contractual obligations due to coverage caps, coverage exclusions and any cash-back option available under the plan. Please refer to the Sample Terms & Conditions for details.