Energy Star means that an appliance, lighting unit, or tool such as an HVAC operate using less energy. For commercial applications, Energy Star means a decrease in costs for operating your building or leased unit.
One of the first things that we realize about Energy Star products is their prospective cost savings. Consider all of the ways that your businesses uses energy and then look at all of the ways that Energy Star can decrease energy consumption. Here are a few examples:
Energy Star Lights — According to Energy.gov energy-efficient light bulbs use upwards of 80 percent less electricity to provide the same amount of light. The range is 25-80 percent in energy savings depending on the type of light bulb used. Choices include halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent bulbs, and LED lights. The savings in energy consumption adds up to about $75 per year. However, the savings grows even further when you consider that light bulbs such as LED’s can last three times longer than the traditional incandescent bulb. So you are saving money also because you do not need to buy replacement bulbs as often.
Energy Star HVAC — Energy Star points out that an HVAC unit with the Energy Star logo can save businesses about $115 per year by using less energy. If you pair this with proper installation and a check for duct sealing and air leaks, you can add another 30 percent to your overall savings.
Those are just two examples of how energy star can save businesses money throughout the year. When you consider “what does Energy Star mean?” the obvious answer is that it saves money. Energy Star does more. It is also has a positive effect on the environment because these products use less energy.
What you gain when you switch to an Energy Star product is a drop in the cost of operating your building and a positive gain for environmental issues. That means cleaner air, normalized weather, and more money in your wallet. The real question to you is not what does Energy Star mean, but how much can you reduce the overall costs associated with operating your building? The answer to that question is worth investigating. After all, decreased operating costs stack up as profits across the bottom line.
