ENERGY STAR is a joint program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Since its inception in 1992, the ENERGY STAR program has helped revolutionize the marketplace for cost-effective, energy-efficient products and services. The program is a trusted source of unbiased information that helps businesses and consumers understand opportunities for energy savings and identify cost-effective, efficient products and services that capture these savings.

The ENERGY STAR program focuses on driving greater efficiency in the following areas:

• Commercial and Industrial Buildings: Improving the efficiency of existing commercial and industrial buildings through proven energy management strategies and energy efficiency services. Encouraging incorporation of energy performance in the building design process.
• Homes: Improving the efficiency of existing homes and constructing efficient new homes that exceed code and meet rigorous benchmarks for energy efficiency.
• Products: Bringing to market new energy-efficient products that operate well beyond federal minimum efficiency requirements across more than 60 product categories for the home and office.

Through 2008, more than 15,000 organizations – including manufacturers, retailers, commercial businesses, industrial facilities, energy service providers, utilities, and state and local governments – have partnered with ENERGY STAR to promote a strategic approach to whole-building energy management.

ENERGY STAR Commercial and Industrial Buildings

NEMA has partnered with the ENERGY STAR Service and Product Provider program, providing value to members through access to ENERGY STAR tools, resources, and opportunities to help decrease energy use in commercial and industrial buildings – which are responsible for over 40 percent of the nation’s energy use and 45 percent of greenhouse gases. NEMA has also joined the ENERGY STAR Challenge – a national call to action to improve energy efficiency in commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more.

ENERGY STAR Products

NEMA works with ENERGY STAR to develop technical requirements and qualifications defining ENERGY STAR product status for Medium-screw base Compact Fluorescent Lamps, Programmable Thermostats, Residential Light Fixtures, Exit Signs, and Distribution Transformers.

For more information on ENERGY STAR visit www.energystar.gov. For resources available to Service and Product Providers, visit www.energystar.gov/sppresources.