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As the nation’s energy crisis continues into the spring and summer, Energy Star products are an important element in solving both our short-term and long-term energy challenges, increasing energy supply by greatly improving energy efficiency. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute sponsored a Congressional briefing on the Energy Star program, a successful partnership between the federal government and other public and private entities to reduce energy consumption and thereby save money, reduce pollution, decrease electricity demand, and lessen U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
The following Energy Star partners discussed how they are making a real difference in how consumers utilize energy in their homes, businesses and office buildings, cutting energy usage and costs:
Tina Settecase, Vice President and General Merchandise Manager, Home Appliances, Sears, Roebuck & Company. An Energy Star partner since 1998, Sears, Roebuck & Company promotes a wide range of Energy Star products, from appliances, office equipment, and home electronics to HVAC equipment and window products. Sears understands that promoting energy efficiency and Energy Star is also good business. Sears’ Kenmore Elite (Calypso) clothes washer uses about 65 percent less energy and 46 percent less water than a traditional washer. Sears’ new Kenmore Elite refrigerator is an Energy Star appliance that exceeds the new 2001 efficiency standard by more than 10 percent. In 2000, Sears sold more than one million Energy Star appliances, offered comprehensive sales training programs for the sales staff, and directed its vendors to supply Energy Star products. In addition, Sears used the Energy Star logo in weekly advertising, and since July 2000, reached more than 26 million estimated viewers by playing the Energy Star public service announcement on in-store displays.
Andrew Kitchens, Senior Manager, Engineering Services, Hines. Hines, one of the largest real estate organizations in the world, is a Texas-based, privately-owned firm involved in developing, managing, leasing, and acquiring real estate. Since joining Energy Star in 1999, Hines has benchmarked the energy performance of 83 percent of its office building square footage and achieved the Energy Star label for 37 percent of its eligible office portfolio. On average, Hines properties use 24 percent less energy than the average office building, providing a significant competitive advantage in the real estate market. Given today’s energy market, this represents enormous savings in energy consumption and costs.
Sue Coakley, Executive Director, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Inc. Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), representing 26 utilities, works with organizations and businesses across New England, New York and New Jersey to improve the energy efficiency of homes, buildings and industry, and to overcome market barriers to energy efficient products and practices. In 2000, NEEP launched a consumer education campaign to increase both consumer awareness and sales of Energy Star labeled products, encourage retailer and manufacturer support, and position Energy Star as a preferred brand. NEEP’s integrated successful multimedia marketing campaign reached a broad audience, producing 116 million impressions and increasing consumer awareness by 65 percent in 2000.
Mike Weedall, Manager, Energy Services and Electric Transportation, Sacramento Municipal Utility District. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is the sixth largest municipal electric utility in the United States, generating, transmitting and distributing energy to over 500,000 customers within the Sacramento area. To help its customers reduce energy use and electricity bills, SMUD’s Energy Star campaign in 2000 targeted residential customers, small businesses, large buildings and schools. It included print and radio advertising, point-of-purchase materials, events, media outreach, financial incentives and sales training. An estimated 6.5 million impressions were made through this campaign. Last October, SMUD sponsored a Lighting Change Out as part of the national Great Energy Star Lighting Change Out. As a result, SMUD succeeded in getting 1,004 trade-ins and 1,115 new Energy Star products sold.
Because Energy Star products are in the top 10-25 percent of the market in energy efficiency, consumers and businesses who purchase these products can quickly reduce their energy consumption and costs and greatly improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, homes and appliances. Did you know that Energy Star: