As you might have read in the newspaper or seen on television, last week the government-backed Energy Star program’s reputation came into question. A nine-month study conducted by the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan federal auditor, found that many questionable products were earning an efficiency label. The GAO assessed Energy Star’s rigor by inventing four companies to seek labeling for an array of devices - humidifiers, heap pumps models, refrigerators, and gasoline-powered alarm clocks, to name a few. These invented companies submitted data indicating that these models were more efficient than others on the market, and according to the GAO’s report, many applications were approved without challenge or further verification.
Undoubtedly, these findings are clearly disappointing. However, the positive spin on this is that it could encourage Energy Star, as well as other efficiency- and eco-verifiers, to tighten and heighten their standards and verification processes, so that consumers can be sure going forward that they are purchasing the most energy efficient appliances the market has to offer.
What do you think? Is energy efficiency a factor for you when purchasing a new appliance? If so, do you rely on efficiency labeling? Do you do your own research?
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