energy star's efficiency
By making homes, appliances, and industries more efficient, ENERGY STAR has ended up reducing the greenhouse gas emissions by a considerable amount. This has a significant positive impact on the earth. Some of us may know of our global warming problem which is caused by the excess greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. ENERGY STAR’s actions have been geared towards preventing the catastrophic events that could happen if global warming was allowed to go on unchecked. A further course of action, which every human would have to take, would be to adopt ENERGY STAR’s initiatives, in order to amplify the present results. Without the cooperation of everybody, there is a limit to what they can do as an organization, and as unpleasant as it is, the reality is that what they can do alone isn’t enough.
In 2005 alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved 150 billion kWh or 4 percent of total electricity demand and helped avoid 28,000 MW of peak power, while preventing 23 million vehicles worth of greenhouse gas emissions. Now this might not seem very much compared to the total electricity and energy demand of the whole world, but it is a huge step that is going to see bigger results in the years to come.
As shown in Figure 1,energy star appliances like refrigerators, are much more cost effective than others. Also, a family compying with ENERGY STAR can save alot of money annualy, as shown in figure 3. Now, some people might be reluctant on the basis that the cost of installing the improvements might not be worth the effects. Figure 2 shows us how the cost of improvements would be hugely compensated for in the long run.
ENERGY STAR certified homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes. Demand savings vary widely with home size, location, and orientation, but homes that earn the ENERGY STAR generally can reduce annual peak demand by approximately 0.5–1.5 kW.
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary, public-private partnership designed to reduce energy use and related greenhouse gas emissions. They provide residential, commercial, and industrial energy consumers with ways in which to invest in energy efficient products and make buildings and facilities more energy efficient. Their goal is to ensure that people choose more energy efficient options over less efficient products and standard practice. The program has become more and more effective as they progress in their quest. Their effectiveness has been continuously accessed and it has been looking good for the organization.
FIGURE 2