What Does ENERGY STAR Mean for Electronics?

Most consumers today are aware of the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation. By using and wasting less electricity and other resources, you can save a lot of money in the long run while being more environmentally conscientious. Fortunately, when it comes to modern living, there are plenty of ways to use less energy in your home. One of these ways is by purchasing and installing certified ENERGY STAR® products.

From energy efficient refrigerators to computer monitors that go into sleep mode when not in use to conserve electricity, the options for ENERGY STAR appliances are plentiful. Let’s take a look at the basics.

What is ENERGY STAR Certified and why does it matter?

ENERGY STAR ratings are a voluntary system of encouraging energy efficiency in the manufacturing and purchase of residential, commercial and industrial products. The program was developed in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is currently regulated by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the EPA.¹ To become a certified ENERGY STAR product, appliances and electronics must meet criteria for energy efficiency.

Read on to learn about why an ENERGY STAR rating is meaningful and useful in your own home.

Less impact from appliance usage

Some of the most energy efficient appliance options are those that are certified through ENERGY STAR, and the numbers are pretty compelling. For example, an ENERGY STAR certified TV consumes half as much energy as a standard TV while it’s powered off, while an ENERGY STAR refrigerator runs 15% more efficiently than the Federal standard for minimum efficiency.² That can amount to some pretty significant energy conservation. Learn more here about other ways you can make your home more energy efficient and conserve even more energy.

Better savings on energy bills

Aiming for purchasing products with the certification is also beneficial because it can save quite a bit of money in the long term. It’s pretty straightforward as to why this is: when you don’t waste electricity, you don’t pay for the energy you aren’t actually using. The ENERGY STAR program incentivizes sustainability by cutting costs for consumers.

Some ENERGY STAR electronics and appliances have higher upfront costs than conventional products, but those initial costs are typically absorbed and even surpassed in energy savings like the ones described above. If you’re still not convinced, the DOE estimates that there have been around $500 billion in energy costs since the ENERGY STAR program was implemented.See Disclosure ³

And when you upgrade your home to qualifying products like an ENERGY STAR air conditioner, heat pump or water heater, you can qualify for tax credits. It’s a win for your wallet and the environment.

Lowered emissions vs. conventional appliances

Since being implemented in 1992, ENERGY STAR has made a measurable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by keeping about 4 billion metric tons of them out of the atmosphere. That’s in addition to cutting hundreds of thousands of tons of sulfur dioxide emissions, nitrogen oxides and fine particulates from the air we breathe.⁴Choosing ENERGY STAR products is a more sustainable choice for the environment that can help contribute toward cleaner air by reducing pollution.

Choosing ENERGY STAR rated products

How do you know what is ENERGY STAR rated and what isn’t?

One of the easiest ways to know if an electronic or appliance is ENERGY STAR certified is to check for the blue logo. However, because of updates to the ENERGY STAR requirements in 2023, you can ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date version of the qualified products by purchasing the newest models. This update applies to products including:

Air source heat pumps, ducted central AC
Ductless heat pumps and AC
Washing machines
Dryers
Computer monitors
Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Dishwashers
Air purifiers
Ventilating fans

At Best Buy, you can find these and many other ENERGY STAR certified home appliances and electronics. In fact, Best Buy was named the ENERGY STAR partner of the year in 2024 for the 11^th year in a row, so you know you’re getting the most recent models as part of a wide selection.

Many smart home products are ENERGY STAR certified, so you’ll also easily find what you’re looking for if you decide to learn how to use technology to save energy in your home. Products like smart thermostats are the perfect companion for appliances like an ENERGY STAR rated cooling or heating system, since smart technology helps reduce energy consumption even more.

Personal choices matter

While it’s not up to individuals alone to help protect the climate and the environment, the choices we each make add up and have a big impact on our future and on the health of the planet. By making upgrades to your home with energy efficient appliances and electronics, you’re chipping in to a bigger cause—and helping yourself save money while you do it.

Sources:

See Disclosure ¹Star, Energy. “About Energy Star.” ENERGY STAR, 2023. https://www.energystar.gov/about.

See Disclosure ²https://www.energystar.gov/products/what_makes_product_energy_star

^{3, 4} Star, Energy. “Energy Star Impacts.” ENERGY STAR, 2023. https://www.energystar.gov/impacts.