Energy Star Program
ENERGY STAR ® is a government backed program which encourages energy efficiency in homes and businesses through the use of ENERGY STAR labeled products and by implementing energy saving practices, all of which save consumers money on energy costs while also cleaning up our environment.
As an ENERGY STAR partner the Energy Division works to educate consumers in our state about the benefits of ENERGY STAR labeled products, and to promote the use of these products and practices.
The ENERGY STAR label can be found on products in over 50 categories including appliances, consumer electronics, heating and cooling equipment, lighting, office equipment, and home envelope products such as roofing, doors, and windows. ENERGY STAR products are typically 10% to 50% more efficient than the minimum government standards and some are much higher. Each product has its own efficiency standards which must be met in order to be classified as an ENERGY STAR product.
ENERGY STAR now has a new bulk purchasing tool for large quantity buyers. This tool links institutional purchasers to ENERGY STAR partners offering bulk procurement arrangements. You can register as a supplier or purchaser. To register, go to www.bulkpurchase.net.
Homes can also be labeled as ENERGY STAR if they are at least 15% more efficient than the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC) and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient. These homes offer substantial savings in yearly energy costs, have a higher resale value, and can qualify for preferred mortgages.
Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR
ADECA has made a commitment to save energy and help protect the environment. Join us and take the pledge to change the world by taking small, individual steps that can make a big difference. Just by changing out your five most used light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs you can save up to $60 a year on your energy bills! Go to www.energystar.gov and choose “Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR.” Choose the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs as the referring organization.
Another easy low cost/no cost way to save energy is through ENERGY STAR’s Power Management campaign, which encourages people to put their computers and monitor to “sleep” when not in use for a period of time . Computer monitors waste over $900 million in electricity per year because:
o 60 percent of computers and monitors are left on at night and
o 40 percent of monitors are not enabled for power management
Free software provided by the EPA automatically puts monitors to rest when not in use - saving a significant amount of energy and money. Monitor power management will not affect computer or network performance. A simple touch of the mouse or keyboard "wakes" the machine within seconds. For more information go to www.energystar.gov/powermanagement.
Products and energy saving tips can be found on the ENERGY STAR website at http://www.energystar.gov
Energy Tax Credit Extenders - On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.” This bill extended tax credits for energy efficient home improvements (windows, doors, roofs, insulation, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters). Tax credits for these residential products, which had expired at the end of 2007, will now be available for improvements made during 2009. However, improvements made during 2008 are not eligible for a tax credit.
The bill also extended tax credits for solar energy systems and established tax credits for small wind energy systems and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Tax credits for builders of new energy efficient homes were extended through 2009 and tax deductions for owners and designers of energy efficient commercial buildings were extended though 2013.
Click here for more information on the energy tax credits.
Contact:
Karen Clifton
Energy Division
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
P.O. Box 5690
Montgomery, AL 36103-5690
334-242-5321 voice 334-242-0552 fax
karen.clifton@adeca.alabama.gov