Latest news with #EnergyStar-certified
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chicago program to light up dark streets is gateway to energy efficiency
The 79th Street corridor is one of the busiest thoroughfares on Chicago's Southeast Side. But many of its adjacent side streets are poorly lit at night, posing hazards ranging from inconvenient to dangerous. For instance, obscured house numbers can confuse both delivery drivers and emergency responders. And higher levels of crime have been correlated with poorly lit streets, making it feel unsafe for children to play outdoors after sunset or for pedestrians to walk alone in the dark. 'For those people who are going to work in the winter at five o'clock in the morning and it's pitch black out there, yeah, they're scared. They're walking down the middle of the street,' said Sharon 'Sy' Lewis, founder and executive director of Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization, commonly referred to by its acronym of MECRO. But block by block, things are changing, in no small part due to Light Up the Night, administered by MECRO in collaboration with the energy-efficiency program of Chicago utility ComEd. The initiative aims to solve the problem of dark streets by outfitting the front and back of homes with energy-efficient lights that automatically turn on at night and off during the day. Light Up the Night was launched in 2019 as a pilot program in the South Shore community of the city's South Side with an initial goal of providing Energy Star-certified LED light bulbs for up to 300 residences. The program had to pause during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but eventually, Light Up the Night was able to achieve that goal and then some. Lewis said it has served more than 500 homes so far, and she is pursuing funding to expand. MECRO staff or volunteers install the bulbs into existing outlets at no charge to residents. Lewis said this proactive approach yields better results than just distributing packages of light bulbs and other energy-saving devices that may or may not get used. For Lewis, the installation process provides an opening to talk to residents about other energy-efficient measures, like weatherization or purchasing new appliances. The upgrades, often eligible for rebates to offset the cost, can dramatically reduce utility bills. This is particularly impactful in communities like those surrounding the 79th Street corridor, in which many residents spend a big portion of their income on energy bills, largely due to predominantly older and often poorly insulated housing stock. 'Light Up the Night is not just a gateway to safety, it's a gateway to energy savings. And it starts with the little things. And because we installed it, instead of sending them an 'energy box,' then we know that it's working. When you drive down that street, you know that it's working, you see that impact,' Lewis said. A minimum of 75% participation is required per block, and each homeowner or renter must provide consent before installation can begin, Lewis said. 'If the average block has 36 homes on it, if we get 15 on each side, at minimum, we have really created an impact for the block,' Lewis said. 'So now you have the whole community lighting up at once [at dusk], and then they all go off in the morning.' A legacy of segregation and disinvestment has left residents of predominantly Black communities like the Southeast Side with a strong distrust of outsiders. As a lifelong resident and visible activist, Lewis has an advantage when it comes to engaging with residents, but obtaining initial buy-in around South Shore was still a challenge. 'Getting people to sign up, that was a problem because we can't not have data on where we are leaving the lights. … [But] people didn't want to provide their information,' Lewis said. To get the program up and running, Lewis worked with neighborhood block clubs to overcome apprehension and to identify particular streets in the South Shore community that would benefit the most from the new lights. She also worked with other community organizations, especially those focused on violence prevention. It was easier to start up the program in Austin, a neighborhood on the city's West Side, where, also in 2019, Lewis collaborated with Steve Robinson, executive director of the Northwest Austin Council, with whom she had worked previously on a number of initiatives. Chicago police officers assigned to that community were also enthusiastic about the program, and helped Lewis identify blocks where adding lights would be especially impactful, she said. '[Robinson] invited me over there. It was a whole change. It was a sea change. It was amazing. [The police] were excited about it. They were looking forward to the change we were doing,' Lewis said. Wherever it has been implemented, this small-scale program has had an outsized positive impact, Lewis said. Additional lighting on front porches and entryways also enhances safety for visitors to the community, including service providers like mail carriers, delivery people, and rideshare drivers. Likewise, floodlights installed at the rear of a home or apartment building add to the ambient lighting in often dark alleyways, which results in fewer garage break-ins and instances of illegal dumping of garbage, Lewis said. MECRO does much more than install lights. The organization also helps guide new and existing small business owners, conducting educational seminars and offering technical assistance. And it provides residents with referrals for energy-efficiency improvements and other sustainability-related resources they might not otherwise know about. But Light Up the Night remains part of the organization's core mission. While illuminating areas that used to be dark is the program's first objective, once the new bulbs have replaced older, less-efficient lights, the lower utility bills can be eye-opening for residents. When people see those savings, 'they start thinking, 'Well, what if I get all energy-efficiency light bulbs? Hmm. Okay, now my bill has gone really down. What if I do the weatherization program? Now my bill is really down,'' Lewis said.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Government Program That Has Secretly Saved You HUNDREDS on Energy Bills May Be Going Away
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."It is no secret that the current administration is making a concerted effort to downsize, well, pretty much the entire government, starting with (but certainly not limited to) any agencies whose purpose is to combat climate change. If the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) comes to mind, you're correct. Earlier in the month, President Trump hinted that one instantly recognizable symbol and the program it represents will likely be on its way out. The symbol in question is the blue sticker with the word "energy" written in cursive beside a silhouette of a star. That's right: The Energy Star program is potentially on the EPA's chopping block for the 2026 budget plan. Ahead, we're breaking down what this program is and how its potential dismantling may impact your energy bills and future appliance purchases. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's website, "Energy Star is a joint program of the EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE). Its goal is to help consumers, businesses, and industry save money and protect the environment through the adoption of energy-efficient products and practices." Initiated in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush, the Energy Star program has a somewhat complicated history, but for the most part, it has been well-received and bipartisan-supported. There has never been any threat to its existence—until now. Energy Star's potential demise could mean that consumers will no longer be able to easily opt for energy-efficient products, which could result in higher energy bills. According to Ben Evans, the federal legislative director of the U.S. Green Building Council, the Energy Star program cost the government approximately $32 million in 2024. While this amount fluctuates from year to year, the program also saves consumers around $42 billion a year. In other words, the benefits to consumers enormously outweigh the cost to the government, especially when considering just how much the government spends each year. To put this in perspective, in the fiscal year of 2024, the federal government spent $6.8 trillion, which means it allocated about 0.00044 percent of the federal spending on Energy Star. To put it in layman's terms, the purpose of the Energy Star program, Evans says, is to "give consumers more transparency around the energy efficiency of a given product, and the label was basically just a simple indicator that these rated products are highly efficient among their category class." The benefits of energy-efficient products are two-fold: Not only does less energy consumption mean reducing the need for electricity generation (resulting in more reliable power grids and fewer blackouts), but it also means lower energy bills. According to Energy Star's website, the program has helped Americans save more than $500 billion in energy costs since its launch in 1992. While Energy Star-certified appliances are generally more expensive than their non-certified counterparts, the long-term savings far outweigh the purchasing cost. Notably, the Energy Star certification isn't just for appliances; homes, too, can don the blue logo. In fact, according to Evans, "around 350,000 Energy Star-rated homes were built in 2024, with around 100,000 of those in Texas." There's no end date for the Energy Star program as of this writing, even if it is likely to be dismantled at some point in 2025 or 2026. "The [2026] budget does seek to significantly scale back the EPA, which could involve organizational restructuring, including the elimination of non-regulatory programs like Energy Star," says Finn Hossfeld, the U.S. lead of Climate Action Tracker. "However, given that Energy Star was written into law by Congress in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the program's elimination without an act of Congress would be met with legal challenge." If and when the Energy Star program is dismantled, you likely won't see a big difference on your next utility statement. The effect would be longer-term. "Dismantling the program leaves consumers less informed about their purchases. Its elimination would also risk slowing the pace of energy efficiency improvements, which is a key means of reducing both costs and emissions at the same time," Hossfeld explains. What's most likely to happen in the short term would be a more obfuscated consumer environment. "Ultimately, confusion in the market is not a good thing for anyone," Evans explains. "Energy Star is what drives consumers to these energy-efficient products that are helping them save in the long term, so manufacturers invest in producing them, but if there's no clarity on energy efficiency in consumer products, there will become less demand, which means they won't be produced as much, and it becomes a vicious cycle." All this to say, the elimination of Energy Star doesn't mean your energy bills will automatically go up. However, if you are looking to buy a new appliance or home in a few years, the end of this program means that you won't have much clarity on how energy-efficient it will be. Our advice? Buy Energy Star-rated products while you still can. They may be more expensive, but they still provide a good return on investment. According to the Energy Star impacts page, "By choosing Energy Star, a typical household can save about $450 on their energy bills each year and still enjoy the quality and performance they expect." That's not nothing! Follow on and . 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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowners Could Be Left Footing the Bill for Higher Costs Without Energy Star
Since 1992, the iconic blue Energy Star label has guided homeowners in search of energy-efficient appliances. It's become a symbol of cost savings and environmental responsibility, credited with saving consumers more than $500 billion in utility bills and preventing over 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. But now, that trusted label could soon disappear. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which oversees the Energy Star program, has announced plans to shut it down, citing cost-cutting measures and shifting priorities. If the move goes forward, it could leave millions of homeowners without the familiar benchmark they've relied on to compare everything from HVAC systems and refrigerators to washing machines and microwaves. So what does this mean for you if you're planning to upgrade your appliances, or just trying to save on your next energy bill? Here's what to know about the potential phase-out of Energy Star, what's replacing it (if anything), and how to shop smarter in the meantime. Energy-efficient appliances have helped homeowners in two ways: reduced cost savings and increased resale value. Energy Star-certified products use significantly less energy than standard models (sometimes up to 30% less), which can translate to hundreds of dollars in annual savings. These savings are especially noticeable in regions with extreme temperatures, where heating and cooling costs spike—think Minnesota winters or Southwest summers. Homes equipped with energy-efficient upgrades also tend to sell for more. Studies have shown that energy-efficient homes can command a resale premium of up to 8% in some markets, as buyers increasingly prioritize lower operating costs and eco-friendly features. If the Energy Star program is phased out, homeowners could face a new kind of uncertainty—one that hits both their wallets and their decision-making power. The biggest risk to homeowners is the lack of transparency around the appliances they're investing in, says Dr. Naeem Turner-Bandele, founder and CEO of Latimer Enterprises, an energy solutions company. 'I've used Energy Star product certifications as a transparent and independent source of information,' he says. 'Energy Star helps level the playing field where there's information asymmetry.' Without the blue label to rely on, homeowners may find it harder to identify truly energy-efficient appliances in a crowded market full of marketing claims and confusing specs. Dr. Turner-Bandele also foresees potential consequences for household energy costs. While the short term may offer some stability, thanks to the number of existing certified products already on the market, that may not last. 'Existing products on the market are Energy Star certified, so it should be possible to mitigate the fallout and recommend energy-efficient products based on existing databases,' he says. But longer term, a lack of updated certification could erode consumer trust and increase inefficiencies. 'If new products are not certified, there will be increased information asymmetry. As a result, renters and homeowners could end up paying more for less efficient products, simply because they don't have the information,' Dr. Turner-Bandele warns. In 2023, the average U.S. household spent $1,760 on electricity—and that number is expected to keep climbing. According to the Energy Information Administration, residential electricity costs are projected to rise 18% between 2022 and 2026. For many families, energy costs are already eating into monthly budgets. Without the guidance of the Energy Star label, choosing efficient appliances may become more difficult, and the wrong choice could lead to even higher utility bills over time. The stakes are especially high in cities like Phoenix, where extreme heat drives electricity use far above the national average. The Energy Star label hasn't been retired—yet. So if you're currently shopping for new appliances, it's still worth looking for the blue label. And while we await the phase-out of those appliances, homeowners should arm themselves with as much information as possible before making a purchase. Dr. Turner-Bandele points to emerging options in the private sector. 'Some companies, like Enervee and Consumer Reports, have energy and performance rating systems,' he says. 'Enervee, for example, has partnered with California and New York to provide a marketplace with products carrying its Enervee Score.' But Turner-Bandele cautions that these tools may not fully replace what's being lost. 'The challenge Enervee and others will face is that their methodology isn't public, does not appear as rigorous as the EPA's third-party certification system, and lacks the same credibility as the EPA,' he explains. While not perfect, partnerships between states and companies like Enervee at least offer a path forward—giving homeowners some level of independent assessment to guide energy-efficient purchases. 'The Bachelorette' Star Jenn Tran Reveals Cute Miami Apartment Where She's Hunkering Down To Finally Finish Physician's Assistant Training Natalie Portman Reveals Real Reason She Quit Los Angeles To Raise Her 2 Kids in France Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy's Rivalry Is Heating Up—but Which of the PGA Championship Stars Has Hottest Home?
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Energy Saver Program launches, offering savings on home upgrades
Hoosiers can now apply to the Indiana Energy Saver Program to save money and make their home more energy efficient. (Photo by Jim Still-Pepper/iStock via Getty Images) Low-to-moderate income Hoosiers can now apply to the Indiana Energy Saver Program to save money and make their home more energy efficient. The Indiana Office of Energy Development launched the $182 million federally funded program last week, aimed at reducing utility costs, improving home comfort and boosting energy efficiency for homeowners, tenants, landlords and contractors. According to the release, this first-come, first-served program aligns with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun's mission to enhance affordability and promote sustainable living across the state. 'Cutting energy costs is at the very heart of what we are focused on,' Braun said in the release. 'The Indiana Energy Saver Program prioritizes practical solutions to improve energy affordability and deliver quality products.' Starting this summer, eligible applicants can receive a no-cost energy audit to find potential energy-saving improvements. Following the audit, participants can access two rebate programs: the Home Efficiency Rebate and the Home Appliance Rebate. Each rebate amount depends on household income and project type. The HOMES program funds energy efficiency upgrades including insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, and Energy Star-certified heating, cooling, water heaters, appliances and lighting. Low-income households earning less than 80% of the county's area median income can receive rebates up to 100% of project costs. The HEAR program targets households earning less than 150% of the area median income. It provides subsidies for energy-efficient appliances and systems such as heat pump water heaters, HVAC systems, clothes dryer, electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, ovens and electrical system enhancements. 'The Indiana Office of Energy Development is committed to affordable energy solutions to all Hoosiers,' said Jon Ford, executive director of IOED. 'The Indiana Energy Saver Program is an important instrument in our all of the above strategy that strengthens our efforts to decrease energy costs and enhance home comfort for consumers.' The IOED is partnering with Vincent Village, Inc., a Fort Wayne organization that provides housing and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness. Together, they are launching the program's first pilot project, investing $60,000 to upgrade four homes with energy efficient improvements. Hoosiers can learn more about the required documentations needed for the application and apply here. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii braces for Energy Star's demise
Hawaii households, with higher electricity rates than the rest of the nation, could benefit from any help available to keep those bills down. That's exactly what the federal program—which certifies energy-efficient appliances with a well-recognized blue logo with a white star—accomplished for more than 30 years, according to Caroline Carl, executive director of Hawaii Energy. 'Energy Star as a national certifying body for energy-efficient products has been incredibly effective, ' she said. 'That blue label has become so familiar and has been effective at helping consumers make good decisions. Since its inception consumers have saved over $500 billion just by choosing better products.' The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched Energy Star in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush. It has since become 'the international standard for energy efficiency, ' according to its website, and 'one of the most successful voluntary U.S. government programs in history.' But Energy Star is now on the chopping block, according to numerous media reports, as the EPA undergoes a broad reorganization under Trump administration directives. The dismantling of Energy Star would be a blow not only to Hawaii's ongoing efforts to lower energy costs, but a setback to achieving the state's clean-energy goals, according to Carl. Hawaii's electricity rates are already three times the national average, she said, with the potential to increase even more in 2026. Hawaii Energy, a ratepayer-funded program that encourages residents and businesses to make smart energy choices—from appliances to air conditioners and water heaters—is the primary administrator of Energy Star programming in the state on behalf of the Public Utilities Commission. Hawaii Energy offers rebates for energy-efficient swaps such as Energy Star fridges, pool pumps and LED light bulbs. Residents benefit by not only getting the rebate, but saving on future energy costs. 'We promote Energy Star-certified with our rebates and marketing to ensure Hawaii residents are making the most efficient decisions for the most durable products on these essential household items, ' Carl said. 'What it also does is it ensures manufacturers have a set level of guidelines across all different products that are labeled as Energy Star, so you know what you're getting.' Since 2013, she said, Energy Star products have saved Hawaii residents over $196 million in first-year energy costs. In the past fiscal year, Hawaii Energy issued over 16, 000 residential rebates for Energy Star products, which has been pretty consistent every year, reflecting their popularity for managing the cost of living. Carl said numerous small businesses and restaurants also benefit from Energy Star swaps. In 2024, 230 small businesses and nonprofits that purchased Energy Star products through Hawaii Energy's EmPOWER grant are expected to save over $1 million on their electricity bills. Carl emphasized that Hawaii Energy's rebates and programs are still available until further notice, but she encouraged residents and businesses to take advantage of them as soon as possible to avoid paying higher prices for energy-saving products in the future. The EPA has not officially announced an end to the Energy Star program, but earlier this month said it was entering the next phase of organizational 'improvements ' to the agency. According to, the end of the popular program would come as 'part of the dissolution of the EPA's Office of Atmospheric Protection (OAP ) and the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, ' which have been presented as part of the reorganization. Energy Star falls under the former. The EPA press office said May 2 that it had announced the next phase of organizational 'improvements ' to the agency 'to better provide clean air, water, and land for all Americans.' 'These workforce changes impact the Office of the Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, and Office of Water, ' said the EPA in an email. 'With this action, EPA is delivering organizational improvements to the personnel structure that will directly benefit the American people and better advance the agency's core mission, while Powering the Great American Comeback.' ENERGY STAR IMPACTS—Since 2013, Energy Star products have saved Hawaii residents more than $196 million in first-year energy costs. Over the lifetime of those products, residents are expected to save an estimated $2.2 billion.—Hawaii Energy issued over 16, 000 residential rebates for Energy Star products in the past fiscal year, which are expected to reduce electricity bills by over $72 million.—Some 230 small businesses /nonprofits that purchased Energy Star products through Hawaii Energy's EmPOWER grant in 2024 are expected to save over $1 million.—By choosing Energy Star, a typical household can save about $450 on its energy bills each year.—Since 1992, Energy Star has helped American families and businesses save more than $500 billion in energy costs, saved 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity and prevented 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere.—Nearly 90 % of American households recognize the Energy Star logo.—The estimated annual market value of Energy Star product sales is more than $100 billion.—More than 790, 000 Americans are employed in manufacturing or installing Energy Star-certified products, making up roughly 35 % of U.S. energy efficiency jobs. Source : Hawaii Energy,
