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Understanding Energy Star
The modern lifestyle is filled with convenience, with incredible devices that provide benefits to our lives. However, the vast majority of these items use electricity to function, from the laptop computer on your desk to the PDA you use to plan your day. Your TV, your DVR, your DVD player; in short, all of your consumer electronics use electricity in order to operate. If you have Energy Star rated products, you are able to enjoy the use of all of your convenience items, while saving a considerable amount of money on your utility bill, over those who lack items with this rating. What is Energy Star? Why should you opt for items with this rating?
Energy Star is actually a joint program, operated by the US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program is designed to help produce consumer and business electronic devices that use less electricity, but sacrifice no functionality or usefulness. The Energy Star program is also responsible for helping to create policies of sustainable energy use, develop new renewable energy options and much more.
Why should you opt for consumer products that have an Energy Star rating? According to the US government, Energy Star rated products can reduce your electric bill by up to 30%. In addition, reducing power consumption also reduces the amount of greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere for power generation. Therefore, any consumer using these products not only saveenviros himself or herself money, but also benefits the environment. Businesses receive similar benefits, which can be tremendous, and the program offers an Energy Star award to qualifying business buildings.
In short, the Energy Star program enables consumers and businesses to have the electronic devices that they need for comfort, enjoyment, productivity and fun, reduce their energy expenditure and never worry about sacrificing a moment of functionality, performance or operability.
Devices that lack the Energy Star rating consume far more electricity than do those with the rating. This is felt immediately by an increase in your electric bill. This can be detrimental for both consumers and for businesses, especially in these troubled economic times. In addition, items that lack this rating increase the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, air pollution and the general degradation of the global environment.
Choosing to use Energy Star rated products and follow applicable practices is an excellent way to be a responsible steward of the environment, without incurring extra costs.