EnergyGuide

The EnergyGuide provides consumers in the United States information about the energy consumption, efficiency, and operating costs of appliances and consumer products. Clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, televisions, water heaters, window air conditioners, mini split air conditioners, central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and other electronic appliances are all required to have EnergyGuide labels. The label must show the model number, the size, key features, and display largely a graph showing the annual operating cost in range with similar models, and the estimated yearly energy cost. Appliance energy labeling was mandated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, which directed the Federal Trade Commission to "develop and administer a mandatory energy labeling program covering major appliances, equipment, and lighting." The first appliance labeling rule was established in 1979 and all products were required to carry the label starting in 1980. Energy Star is a similar labeling program, but requires more stringent efficiency standards for an appliance to become qualified, and is not a required program, but rather a voluntary one.

Label showing the energy cost of appliances

The EnergyGuide provides consumers in the United States information about the energy consumption, efficiency, and operating costs of appliances and consumer products.

Clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, televisions, water heaters, window air conditioners, mini split air conditioners, central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and other electronic appliances are all required to have EnergyGuide labels.^[1] The label must show the model number, the size, key features, and display largely a graph showing the annual operating cost in range with similar models, and the estimated yearly energy cost.^[2][3]

Appliance energy labeling was mandated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, which directed the Federal Trade Commission to "develop and administer a mandatory energy labeling program covering major appliances, equipment, and lighting."^[4] The first appliance labeling rule was established in 1979 and all products were required to carry the label starting in 1980.

Energy Star is a similar labeling program, but requires more stringent efficiency standards for an appliance to become qualified, and is not a required program, but rather a voluntary one.

See also

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• EnerGuide – A similar label used in Canada which also includes a whole-house evaluation
• European Union energy label – A similar label used in European Union
• Energy rating label – A similar label in Australia & New Zealand

References

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1. ^ "Shopping for Home Appliances? Use the EnergyGuide Label". Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
2. ^ Newsome, Hampton. "FTC's Appliance Labeling Rule" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
3. ^ "Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and other Products Required Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Appliance Labeling Rule)" (PDF). Federal Register. 72 (167): 49948–49997. August 29, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 20, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
4. ^ Vaidyanathan, Shruti; Nadel, Steven; Amann, Jennifer; Bell, Casey J.; Chittum, Anna; Farley, Kate; Hayes, Sara; Vigen, Michelle; Young, Rachel (2013). Overcoming Market Barriers and Using Market Forces to Advance Energy Efficiency (PDF). Washington, DC: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Retrieved April 30, 2013.^{[permanent dead link]}