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- How does an Energy Star Ceiling fan qualify?
- Is it all just a marketing gimmick?
- Do they deliver real savings you can see?
The “Energy Star ceiling fan”! You see them all the time as you're browsing through all the online venues that showcase fans and other home appliances. Yet no one seems willing to explain what it means. What in the heck is an “energy star” anyway? Some type of new marketing gimmick?
It's a Fully Accredited U.S. Government Program
The simple answer to that question, is that Energy Star is a joint program that's overseen by both the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S Department of Energy. So no it's no gimmick. In fact it is a program that you can believe in and it is working to save consumers money as it also protects the environment.
It's More than Just Your Energy Star Ceiling Fan
In fact this completely voluntary program extends throughout your community and involves so much more than simple home appliances. Even entire businesses, including their buildings and vehicles can be Energy Star rated and earn the privilege to display the logo.
That's a Lot of Money and Pollution!
Did you know that in 2009 alone, the savings to consumers through the Energy Star program added up to almost $17 billion dollars? That's a heck of a lot of money and it goes even further than that because the actual energy savings was equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions produced by 30 million cars.
Real Savings You Can See on Your Bills
OK, so enough about the community and the environment. Not to appear uncaring or selfish but in the end, the bottom line is that the Energy Star program must deliver “real savings” that you can see on your bills. Also no one likes to sacrifice performance and features to save, if they don't have to.
They Must Be Better Fans that Use Less Power
The fact is that you don't have to because in order for any appliance to qualify and that of course includes an Energy Star ceiling fan, it must achieve its lower power usage through design and engineering innovation, such that performance and features are not compromised. In short, they have to be better fans that use less power.
If it Costs More the Power Savings Must Cover it.
Another factor considered in an Energy Star fan rating, is that if these changes in design cause the product or appliance to cost more, the savings in power usage must offset that extra cost in a reasonable amount of time. So all these factors combined are why going Energy Star in your home can cut your power bills by a third.