ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient Program Gains Momentum in 2013

It’s been two years since ENERGY STAR® rolled out its Most Efficient label program. The intent of the program is to identify and promote the “most efficient” products, the goal being to more quickly drive energy-efficient products to market. (For additional background information, see my earlier blogs on the subject: When “Energy Efficient” Isn’t Enough and ENERGY STAR’S Most Efficient Program Continues Through 2013.) At present, the program covers 11 product categories including ceiling fans, clothes washers, refrigerators, and televisions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued a memo providing an update on its success and a report on expectations for 2014.
A couple of items of note for 2013 (so far) include:
• At mid-year, 1335 products from 119 partners have met the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria
• Televisions have shown the largest growth, going from 35 to 151 models (from 5% to 11% of the total market)
For 2014 the EPA expects to keep the list of products as is. The only change in the eligibility requirements is for televisions where there will be a tightening up of the on-mode power consumption, defined by the following equation:
Pmax = 60 × TANH(0.00075(A – 140) + 0.01) + 11
Where:
Pmax = maximum allowable On Mode Power consumption in W
A = viewable screen area of the product in square inches
TANH = hyperbolic tangent function
This represents about a 3% reduction in the maximum allowed power consumption for a 50 inch screen television. Presently, the requirement is 49 W. In 2014, it will go down to 47.5 W.
A stakeholder meeting was held earlier this month. Feedback from the meeting will be taken into consideration and finalization of criteria for 2014 will be announced soon.
To read the memo in its entirety, click here.