Jul 12 2008
The Energy Star Challenge - Building A Better World 10% At A Time
Thanks to the work of Energy Star we are already saving literally billions of dollars each year through energy efficiency practices. Through these practices both environmentally dangerous greenhouse gases as well as operational costs have been reduced without any tradeoffs in performance or quality.
Who is Energy Star?
Energy Star was originally created in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It started as a voluntary labeling program but has grown into the successful organization it is today. Energy Star helps consumers identify and purchase over 40,000 energy efficient products.
A largely successful program to date, in 2006 alone Energy Star saved consumers over $14 billion on their utility bills. The savings were equivalent to the emissions from 25 million cars. While this may seem remarkable there is still much more work to be done.
The Energy Star Challenge
A new project from Energy Star is called the Energy Star Challenge. This challenge consists of “a national call-to-action to improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more.”
Anyone who works in commercial or industrial buildings can participate in the Energy Star Challenge. According to the Energy Star website, the challenge encourages participants to:
- Design commercial buildings to be energy efficient.
- Meter your energy usage over long periods
- Create a plan for energy efficiency improvements
- Implement energy efficiency upgrades
- Inform others about efficiency
Take the Energy Star Challenge
If you are ready to participate in the Energy Star Challenge you can sign-up using the following web based form:
- http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=challenge.showChallengeForm
The Energy Star Challenge Toolkit
Energy Star offers a free toolkit to help you in the challenge:
- http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=challenge.challenge_toolkit
Within the web based toolkit you can find useful resources, energy efficiency facts, figures, key points and more. They even offer press release templates, printable posters and co-brandable print advertisements.
You have already taken the first step by taking the time to read this article, now help the planet by participating in the Energy Star Challenege and “Build a Better World 10% at a Time.”
Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist working with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner, based in Huntington Beach, California.
Cool-N-Save(tm) is a revolutionary new air conditioner add-on that can be installed in just 10 minutes with no tools required. In the hottest months, your air conditioner can be responsible for up to 90% of your monthly electrical bill. Cool-N-Save(tm) has been scientifically proven by Tulane University to improve air conditioner efficiency by up to 30% - which translates into real monthly savings for you. Saving energy helps fight global warming and Cool-N-Save(tm) is a cost-effective way to reduce your energy use.
Tags: challenge, consumer, electricity, energy efficiency, savings, energy star
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