Greening the Dragon
Greenversations — ... more efficient in their use of energy, water and materials, and healthier to live in and around. There, as here, progress often hinges on the initiative of a few heroic individuals willing to stick their necks out to try something new and innovative. I got to meet several such individuals on my trip, working on such projects as the Eco-House that will be showcased at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. They were eager to learn more about EPA programs like Brownfields and ENERGY STAR, and about the progress Americans have made in establishing green building as a major ...

Conversation with Maura Beard of the U.S. EPA
ReGeneration — Can you give us a brief overview of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program and its objectives? ENERGY STAR was established in 1992 by the EPA to help businesses and consumers become more energy efficient and help fight global warming. With more than 15 years of experience, we’ve made tremendous progress in the marketplace. ENERGY STAR is recognized by more than 70 percent of Americans and identifies products in more than 50 categories, including refrigerators, dishwashers and office equipment. What’s really ...

Don’t Get “Greenwashed”
Got2BeGreen — ... Choose products that have been certified by a third party. These products have been vetted by an independent agency to ensure that they meet certain standards. Some credible logos to look for include Energy Star, ...

Xerox 2008 Global Citizenship Report Proves Efforts Toward Corporate Social Responsibility
Green Options — ... the total to five. Named a National Performance Track Corporate Leader in 2008. Recycling rate of 92%—up 1% from 2006. Energy consumption down 2% from 2006—total cut of 19% between 2002 and 2007 Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5% from 2006—cut emissions worldwide by 21% between 2002 and 2007 80% of new products introduced in 2007 met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s tougher ENERGY STAR requirements Also, included in the report are sections and key ...

The New MacBook's Green Credentials
Green Inc. — ... surface is made of glass, and responds to a number of iPhone-like gestures for flicking back and forth through web pages, or zooming in and out with a pinch of the fingertips. I also thought the lack of a dedicated click button would be a deficit (the pad itself is clickable in the new model), but I took to the new press-to-click method in a matter of minutes. But what about the new MacBook’s green credentials? Well, as green gadgets go, the machine performs well. It achieves both Energy Star 4.0 compliance, as well as a gold rating from the ...

Ex-EPA Chief Whitman Wants Carbon Cap
Ecoearth.info Blog — ... the use of nuclear energy. Having grown up on a farm in western New Jersey, (Oldwick in Hunterdon county), Whitman says she's always felt connected with the environment. "You're so close to nature, you see the impact," she says. Recycling is the rule at her 231-acre, 240-year-old farm, where you won't find any air conditioning but you might notice not one but two Toyota hybrids parked on the grounds. Whitman's been driving a Prius since 2005. Whitman is a big proponent of the Energy Star program, a joint program of the EPA and the Energy Dept., which promotes ...

Dishwashers To Scrub Energy, Water Use
Matter Network - Clean Technology, Green News and Sustainable Business News — New dishwashers will greatly reduce their water and energy consumption thanks to more rigorous qualifications for Energy Star ratings. The US Department of Energy (DOE)  and  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which jointly adminster the program, anticipate that the installation of energy and water efficient dishwashers could save "American families more than $25 million in energy and water bills in the first six months" once the program kicks off in August 2009. This is one of the many efforts by the DOE to reduce ...

Be Green, Save Green: Is Energy Star Lacking Power?
Greenopia Environmental News — [image] A major indicator of efficiency, the Environmental Protection Agency s Energy Star program , may be losing ground. A feature article in the October 2008 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine makes this surprising argument. The major non-profit organization says more electronics are meeting Energy Star standards. Why? Not the reason you might think. Instead of companies improving energy efficiency, Consumer Reports says the Energy Star program is not keeping pace with current technology and high volume usage of products. According to Consumer ...

Kitchen Design: David Gottfried's LEED Home Renovation
Planet Green Articles Feed — ... adhesives. We'll also install a new induction stove and other Energy Star rated appliances from Bosch (refrigerator, dishwasher, washer-dryer, oven and microwave). What's an induction stove? We didn't know either until we did some research. We first thought of gas, because that's what you think of when you think of quality cooking, but gas has ...

Greening Your Gigabytes: Apple Introduces The World's Greenest Family of Notebooks
Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit — ... commonly found in consumer electronics, that are hazardous to the atmosphere -- and to human health. It also opens up the universe of customers for Apple. If the green set wasn't already using Mac, this should surely tip the scales. Not to mention perpetuating the Mac image as forward-thinkers and visionaries vs. the tired, stale 'suits' and unimaginative methodologies that is fast becoming synonymous with many of the PC options. Plus, the new Macbooks achieve Energy Star 4.0 compliance and received a gold rating from the Green Electronics Council. ...

Air Purification Week -- Sharp Air Purifier KC-C150U
1GreenProduct — ... a humidifier into the air purifier. So if you live in a desert environment or just need a bit of extra humidification in the dry winter months, the KC-C150U could solve two problems at once. (Note that the humidifier has its own filter, which the KC-C150U manual indicates should be replaced every two years.) So far so good, but what makes the KC-C150U a good Green choice? Sharp says that the KC-C150U is 35 percent more energy efficient than standard models -- good enough to win an ENERGY STAR rating. Thanks to our ...

Apple Debuts the Greenest Macbooks Ever
INHABITAT — ... ever! They’ve removed many of the harmful toxins found in computers including mercury, arsenic and PVC and made the remaining parts nearly all recyclable. The software has also been redesigned to run on 30% less power than previous models, earning them Energy Star certification. And finally, Apple cut out nearly half of the bulky ...

Going Green: A Hard Sell For Consumers?
Ecoearth.info Blog — ... not the same as Big Tobacco. People need energy, she says they don't need cigarettes. "Fear doesn't always work," Shugoll says. Clear, consistent information about where energy comes from and how its use affects the environment is what people need more of, she notes. But that means knowing more than how many kilowatt hours a refrigerator uses in a year. "People buy on emotion, and they justify with the facts," says Maria Vargas, a director of the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program . Energy Star certifies and labels energy-efficient appliances, and the ...

Spotlight - Favorite Products of 2008
1GreenProduct — ... - Gives the same illumination as a regular CFL bulb, 30% smaller, 70% less mercury [image] 2) Undergear Soy and Bamboo Collections - These durable, soft, quick-drying, stylish and made from eco-friendly fabrics provide men with some welcome options beyond the old boxers/briefs debate. 3) Caroma Sydney Smart Dual-Flush Toilet - Save an estimated 18,000 - 30,000 gallons of water per year at the push of a button. 4) HP Deskjet D2545 Printer - An ENERGY STAR -qualified printer made mostly out of recycled plastic. Why can't other electronics ...

Greening Your Electronics
Green Home Huddler — ... Make sure you think about energy consumption when thinking about electronics. Of course, Huddler can help you there. Also check out EnergyStar to find qualified products. What's more, ...

7 Ways to Lower Your Energy Bills
The Green Parent — ... home for drafty spots where cold air can enter. The most common culprits are doors and windows. Install weather stripping and door sweeps to block drafts. Add old-fashioned “draft dodgers” for a quick fix at exterior doors. Other common areas for air leaks are locks, outlets, air conditioning units and recessed light fixtures.  Cover outside vents, including air conditioning units. If possible, install insulated electrical outlet boxes and light fixtures. Check out The Energy Star program’s free guide to home insulation. ...

Building Bang for the Buck
The Ground Floor — ... to educate homeowner's on how to properly operate the homes systems. Many homeowners over humidify there homes. Easley suggests a home should never go over 70 percent humidity, and that the idea range should be 30 percent to 40 percent.  Moisture and mold issues also reveal cold spots, Easley said. Moisture issues occur alone the plate lines and near electrical or plumbing lines that are placed on exterior walls. As a solution, Easley recommended that builders look into Energy Star's Thermal Bypass checklist or to join the Building America Challenge, whick ...

Peak Oil Planning: What Should We Do Now?
The Oil Drum — ... “green” things is also helpful from a global warming perspective. Here are some green ideas besides using fluorescent light bulbs: • Move to a smaller house or apartment. • Insulate your house, and have it professionally sealed to keep out drafts. • If any rooms are unused, do not heat and cool them. • Keep your house warmer in summer, and cooler in winter. • If you no longer need a big refrigerator, buy a smaller one. Be sure it is an "Energy Star" refrigerator. • If you have more than one refrigerator, get rid of the ...

REUSE = REPAIR
Your Daily Thread — ... their zippers fixed, purses and luggage can be sewn up, wood furniture can be revived and repaired, couches can be recovered, and watches and jewelry coaxed into working order. As for appliances, you may be able to have your computer or phone refurbished or have a tinkerer get your small appliances to work.  On a whole though, if it’s an energy sucker like a fridge or water heater, you probably want to recycle the old clunker in favor of a new energy-efficient number. (More on making that ...

Could New Energy Labels Chill European Fridge Sales?
Green Inc. — ... that grades products A through G, with G being the least efficient, according to benchmarks established by regulators. (The Energy Star program in the United States , by contrast, is an in-or-out labeling system that simply assesses products against the field of similar products on the market.). Mr. Gutberlet fears that refrigerators currently graded “A++” probably would drop to “A” while fridges that currently received an “A” grade could drop down to “B” or “C” grade under the new labeling plans. The Commission is drawing up a new scale partly because it wants to nudge some ...

Living Green Makes Cents
Green Talk™ — ...  Don’t stop at those drafts.  Consider your appliances. Make your appliances work for you.  Clean the filters of your refrigerator and stock it to make it more efficient.  If your appliances are over ten years old, consider replacing them with energy star appliances. Not only will you have new appliances, but they will save you money as well. Check to see if any ...

Why You Need To Insulate and Air Seal Your Home to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Planet Green Articles Feed — ... which is the US Department of Energy's and the US Environmental Protection Agency’s program for energy efficiency; air leakage accounts for 25-40 percent of a person's heating and cooling costs. So, if we all just insulated and did air sealing we could save over 2.45 tons assuming a 35 reduction in energy costs. Bottom line is insulation will reduce your carbon footprint, save money on your energy bill and reduces everyone's reliance on fossil fuels. More on Reducing Your Footprint: ...

Plugging the Sun into the Grid
Greenversations — ... Before joining EPA, I resolved to do my part on climate change by reducing my production of greenhouse gases. My family made all of the obvious changes – changing from incandescent lights to compact fluorescent lights, better weatherproofing, and changing to newer Energy Star appliances, but could we do more? I was familiar with photovoltaic power generation on my backyard observatory and my recreational vehicle, but neither of those systems reduced our household CO2 footprint. At this point, I investigated a grid-tie solar power system. ...

Eco Your Home Office
LIME Blogs — ... when you run out. E-Waste Another waste stream generated by your office is most noticeable in your energy bill. If you’re in the market, you can research Energy Star rated computers, printers, copiers, monitors and more here .  Otherwise be sure to turn off your electronics when you’re not using them. When it’s time to replace your electronic office equipment, you can do so responsibly. The heavy metals and other materials that they contain are hazardous waste and should not be dumped in the landfill. First check with the manufacturer to see if they have a take-back ...

Economic Stimulus, Clean Energy, and the Scale of Our Challenge: Grading the Stimulus Energy Investments
WattHead - Energy News and Commentary — ... F: Just $0.3B for the Energy Star appliance rebate program. That's a nice gesture, but remember those 100 million households referred to above? This amounts to $3.00 per household, unlikely to do much to move the needle of national energy consumption, and a failing grade in our book. ...

Economic Stimulus, Clean Energy and the Scale of Our Challenge: Grading the Stimulus Energy Investments
It's Getting Hot In Here — ... F: Just $0.3B for the Energy Star appliance rebate program. That’s a nice gesture, but remember those 100 million households referred to above? This amounts to $3.00 per household, unlikely to do much to move the needle of national energy consumption, and a failing grade in our book. ...

Home Energy: Why is there a need to improve it?
Green Options — Improving Your Home Energy Efficiency With all the talk of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the news these days it seems to me that having an energy efficient home is the way to go. ...

Refrigerator Refresher
AboutMyPlanet.com — ... investing in a new model might make better sense - from an environmental point of view. Refrigerators manufactured before 2001 are much less energy efficient. An average 1990 version may also release more than 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. In recent years, an international energy-rating program known as Energy Star allows consumers to compare different appliances. In Canada, a refrigerator must exceed government energy standards by 15 percent,  while the US standard must be exceeded by 20 percent. More effective compressors, changing ...

12 Tips to Turn Tech Execs Into Green Experts
Earth2Tech — ... , and EnergyStar are probably on your radar. But go deeper: Consider how users interact with your products. Behavioral design, which looks at how design influences user behavior, is a fast-growing topic. The ...

GE to Deliver Smarter Appliances
Environmental Leader — ... (EPA) have awarded GE Consumer & Industrial the ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award for the fourth straight year. This also marks the sixth year ...

8 Easy Ways to Start Being Green
Earth911.com — ... Energy Star - This label indicates that various products, such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, televisions and printers, meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA and United States Department of Energy (DOE). “Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill, with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort,” according to Energy Star. ...

JCPenney Earns Energy Star Award for Sustained Energy Management
Environmental Leader — March 9, 2009 JCPenney Earns Energy Star Award for Sustained Energy Management jcpenneylogo JCPenney is the first retailer to earn the ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE). The retailer says effective energy management is part of the company’s environmental goals under its ...

Climate Savers Pumps You Up to Power Down
ReGeneration — ... and/or inform others about the importance of energy efficient computing to the global environment. What’s in it for you? Well, make a compelling enough video and you could be on the receiving end of cold, hard cash, commuter bikes, laptops and software. You’ve got until April 17, so dust off your director’s chair, shout “Action!” and get started. Secondly, Climate Savers, the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program and Forrester Research are ...

Recognition - Kohl's Green Scene
1GreenProduct — ... and ENERGY STAR programs. Kohl's slogan is "Expect Great Things". With green improvements like these, Kohl's has certainly raised the expectations and hopes of eco-friendly (and bargain-loving) consumers everywhere!

Teens have the Power!
Greenversations — ... Recently my dad and stepmom came to visit me and told me about the new house they bought. My dad told me about what they are doing to the house to get ready for moving in – painting, new appliances, and some remodeling. I asked my dad if he had bought Energy Star kitchen appliances and the blank look on his face said it all – he didn’t know. I was disappointed that I had missed an opportunity to help my parents make environmental decisions appropriate for them and potentially save a lot of money on their electricity bills, water consumption, etc. over the years. ...

How companies can save $2.8 billion, energy and the environment
Daily Greenz, the Blog from Greenzer.com — ... .” The Energy Star program has been doing a lot to empower consumers providing them with energy efficiency ratings. Companies should therefore buy Energy Star rated products. They can also turn to ...

And Obama gives the best clean energy and global warming solutions job to …
Climate Progress — ... — EERE is the principal federal agency for working with businesses to develop and deploy the technology for 11 of them! The stimulus and the 2009 budget dramatically increases — more than doubles — EERE funding for technology development and deployment. Zoi’s most important job is deployment, deployment, deployment. And again she is a uniquely qualified to get clean energy into the marketplace. Zoi was a manager at the US Environmental Protection Agency where “she pioneered the Energy Star Program ,” which was the pioneering energy efficiency deployment program launched in the ...

Know Your Eco-Labels
Matter Network - Clean Technology, Green News and Sustainable Business News — ... the FSC is a voluntary certification program promoting sustainable forest management. Standards are based on 10 principles and 57 criteria addressing "legal issues, indigenous peoples’ rights, labor rights, multiple benefits and local environmental impacts surrounding forest management." Arguably one of the most successful organizations, FSC standards had been applied to more than 170 million acres and in 60 countries by 2006. ENERGY STAR A label of the Environmental Protection Agency and the ...

EPA's Energy Star Program Awards 89 Firms, School Districts and Others for Efficiency Efforts
Greener Buildings — EPA's Energy Star Program Awards 89 Firms, School Districts and Others for Efficiency Efforts Eighty-nine companies, schools and other institutions were honored in a ceremony tonight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Program for their efforts to cut energy use and increase the efficiency of their facilities. The awardees range from some of the biggest businesses such as 3M Company, Merck & Co. Inc. and Whirlpool Corporation and to the Council Rock (Newton, Pa.), Nash-Rocky Mountain (Nashville, N.C.) and the Whitefish Bay (Wisconsin) school districts. ...

What Do Green Labels or Eco Seals Mean
environmental friendly, natural products, solar power, recycling, organic food - Easy Eco Blog — Green-Label Roadmap These 15 green-label programs are recognized as good benchmarks by experts and retailers such as Green Depot and Office Depot. Green Seal ( www.greenseal.org ) Energy Star ( www.energystar.gov ) EPA Design for the Environment ( www.epa.gov/dfe ) WaterSense ( www.epa.gov/watersense ) Forest Stewardship Council ( www.fsc.org ) Scientific Certification Systems ( www.scscertified.com ) EcoLogo ( www.ecologo.org ) Greenguard ( www.greenguard.org ) Cradle to Cradle ( www.c2ccertified.com ) Electronic Product ...

Don’t Flush an Energy Opportunity
The Energy Collective — ... The federal government already provides a wide array of tax credits for consumers for energy efficient home improvements including windows, doors, insulation, and water heaters. Credits are also available for renewable energy systems such as solar panels, wind systems, and geothermal heat pumps. Tax deductions are available to owners and designers of energy efficient commercial buildings. ...

Don’t Flush an Energy Opportunity
Climate Progress — ... The federal government already provides a wide array of tax credits for consumers for energy efficient home improvements including windows, doors, insulation, and water heaters. Credits are also available for renewable energy systems such as solar panels, wind systems, and geothermal heat pumps. Tax deductions are available to owners and designers of energy efficient commercial buildings. ...

8 Ways to Reduce Your Impact Today
Earth911.com — ... Buy nice or buy twice - For these necessities, make sure that you are buying the highest quality, most energy efficient, eco-friendly model available within your budget. From appliances (Energy Star) to food ( ...

Green Meetings Are a Team Effort: Sign Up the Supply Chain
Energy Priorities — At the 8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment last week, the theme was "Innovation and Inspiration - Harnessing the Power of Sport for Change." What does that have to do with business meetings? The conference focused on the power of large-scale events (in this case, sports) to demonstrate innovative solutions to environmental challenges, and to inspire people to pursue a more sustainable world. Substitute the gathering of your choice -- make it "harnessing the power of conventions for change" -- and the theme remains just as appealing. Consider the impact of your supply chain As a meeting planner, ...

EPA’s Green Symphony
Greenversations — ... is one of our efforts to ensure that we’re all playing from the same sheet of music. Our agency has a lot of strong programs to deal with specific buildings issues, like Energy Star, ...

98% of Green Labeled Products are Actually Greenwashed
TreeHugger — ... , Energy Star , and a company's own labeling system, such as Canon's Generation Green and HP's Eco Highlights. Then there are reference sources like ...

Energy Efficient Organic LEDs Lights Demonstrated
MetaEfficient Reviews — ... They are, however, still in the early stages of development, so their reliability and energy efficiency needs works. But recently, a company called ODC demonstrated an OLED light that comes close to Energy Star standards. ...

Why Saving Energy is the #1 Green Action you can do this Earth Day
Green Options — ... A person who buys Energy Star appliances, fuel efficient vehicles or hybrids, and home efficiency products is more likely to go on to buy clean energy through their utility, or even look into on-site generation (solar panels, for instance). ...

Ideas for Saving Energy
FUTURISM NOW —

News Flash - Paragon Eco-Conditioner by Haier
1GreenProduct — ... as a "Best Buy" for Small Capacity room air conditioners. Haier says that Consumers Digest called the Paragon "the most efficient room unit that you can buy." As far as I can tell from the press release and online product descriptions, here are the key eco-friendly selling points: 1) Haier says the Paragon uses 11% less energy than other energy-efficient room air conditioners. 2) The air conditioner is Energy Star qualified. 3) In addition to providing cooling power, the Paragon also uses ultraviolet light to purify the air. 4) Apparently uses ...

How to green cooling and heating efficiency
Super Eco News Feed — ... Maintain your heating and cooling system by having your units cleaned and tuned yearly. Vacuum your heating and cooling outlet vents and ...

110 More Kohl’s Stores Earn Energy Star Rating
Environmental Leader — ... has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR label for 110 additional stores, and became the first specialty department store to receive the Silver-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( ...

Global Sustainable Product Standards Sought
Environmental Leader — ... Silver, Gold and Platinum. MTS is also promoting the use of green procurement systems for listing and labeling green products to make consumers aware of these products available in the market. The organization is trying to set standards for product categories and create green product directories to help make the switch to sustainable purchasing faster and easier, says MTS. Sustainable rating systems that certify other types of products include the U.S. Environmental Agency’s ENERGY STAR programs that identify energy-efficient appliances, buildings, and soon ...

A Green Beacon for the Eastside
Your Daily Thread — ... recycled glass countertop and Energy Star appliances, much of her remodel was done using existing materials: she unearthed buried wood flooring, weatherized the home’s current windows and bought eco-furnishings from thrifty stores around town. ...

PHI Implements Strategies to Cut Energy Use, GHG Emissions
Environmental Leader — ... wholesale generation services through Conectiv Energy and retail energy products and services through Pepco Energy Services. One of the biggest areas of focus across all businesses is implementing energy saving solutions at its facilities. The company says it uses green design techniques for planning all new construction and is retrofitting many of its existing facilities. As an example, PHI’s energy-efficient headquarters earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2008 ENERGY STAR award. Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR label use an average of 40 percent ...

Kohl's Stores Awarded Energy Star Label, LEED Ratings
Greener Buildings — Kohl's Stores Awarded Energy Star Label, LEED Ratings MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl's tally of Energy Star -labeled stores now stands at 219, the retailer's design prototype for stores has been awarded initial LEED Silver certification and three other stores in the chain have attained LEED ratings. The recognition of Kohl's green building efforts followed news last week that the company is among the top three purchasers of renewable energy in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership program. Before ...

Great Green Energy and Money Saving Tips
Modern Eco Homes — ... dimmer compatible though. Reverse Your Ceiling Fan: Make sure you know which way the breeze is blowing. In the winter your ceiling fan should be set to turn clockwise to force warm air down. In the summer a ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise for cool your space. Program Your Thermostat: Take full advantage of the energy-saving potential of a eco-programmable thermostat by setting it effectively. For detailed guidelines, visit energystar.gov and start saving. Look For The Label: Remove any doubt about ...

Xerox’s ColorQube 9200 ink printers reduce waste by 90 percent
Green Diary — Xerox Corporation recently launched a new series of business printers, ColorQube 9200 ink printers, which use solid ink instead of ink cartridges. The printer targets high-end business office printer users that produce significant daily color copy outputs and is designed to dramatically reduce the cost of printing color pages. Green Features: • 2009 ENERGY STAR Qualified The ColorQube 9200 series meets strict standards for reduced power consumption. Its ability to enter a ...

EPA Launches Energy Star Ratings for Servers
Environmental Leader — May 18, 2009 EPA Launches Energy Star Ratings for Servers energystarlogo The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced its Energy Star for Servers program to make it easier for buyers to identify energy-efficient systems, reports ...

5 Ultra-Efficient Ways to Make your Home More Green
Modern Eco Homes — ... is higher than their incandescent counterparts, the long-term savings and green benefits they yield are well worth the cost.  In fact, according to Energy Star, they pay for themselves in about 6 months.  And not only do ...

Real Estate Developers Get Down to Earth in Beverly Hills
Greener Buildings — ... is being overshadowed by Energy Star . Fighting climate change is well and good, but energy savings -- which exert a downward pressure on operating costs -- are what developers are banking on in 2009. And while there's a dearth of new capital and precious few new projects pending, property owners are eyeing energy efficient retrofits to make their portfolios competitive with the most recent round of new LEED product. ...

5 Gorgeous and Creative Green Home Additions
Greenopia Environmental News — ... tout many EnergyStar qualified features that not only help the planet, but also your health .and of course the value of your home too.>> Check out the ...

How Smart Building Owners Can Find the 'Green' and Stop Singing the Blues
Greener Buildings — ... failing to take green measures may quickly lead to functional obsolescence and loss of a competitive edge in the marketplace. What's So Special About Green Buildings? Green buildings command higher rents and sales prices; are more efficient and less costly to operate; provide healthier work environments; and appeal to growing numbers of tenants demanding "green" space and willing to pay a premium for it. There are many degrees of "greenness," but the two standard bearers are the Energy Star program of the ...

Friday Blog Roundup
My Green Element — ... and 70 other large enterprises has agreed to create a voluntary labeling system that will let consumers know, for example, how much lead, mercury and toxic flame retardants their televisions contain.  The labeling system goes far beyond the now-familiar EnergyStar sticker, which simply designates the energy efficiency of electronic products. ...

Shareholder Effort to Force Home Depot to Set Energy Plan Fails, Talks on Issue Possible
Greener Buildings — ... per square foot in stores by 12 percent and that changes in design and construction have produced an average of 34 percent energy savings when comparing company stores built before 2003 to those built after 2003. The Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star has recognized Home Depot twice for "superior energy efficiency" by naming the retailer a Partner of Year in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, the company received an Award for Excellence for its promotion of Energy Star products. Shareholder resolutions are becoming increasingly popular vehicles to bring environmental ...

Moscone Center - A Bright Green Award-Winning Convention Center
Greenversations — ... The two million square foot Moscone Center has one of the nation’s largest municipally-owned solar installations. Their 60,000 sq. ft. solar system generates enough energy to power nearly 400 homes and displaces more than 300 tons of carbon dioxide annually! They also did a major lighting retrofit. You can follow their lead by looking for ENERGY STAR lighting fixtures at home and at work. ...

Breaking: Cathy Zoi confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Climate Progress — ... The stimulus and the 2009 budget dramatically increases — more than doubles — EERE funding for technology development and deployment. Zoi’s most important job is deployment, deployment, deployment. And again she is a uniquely qualified to get clean energy into the marketplace. Zoi was a manager at the US Environmental Protection Agency where “she pioneered the Energy Star Program,” which was the pioneering energy efficiency deployment program launched in the early 1990s. ...

Breaking: Cathy Zoi confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The Energy Collective — ... The stimulus and the 2009 budget dramatically increases — more than doubles — EERE funding for technology development and deployment. Zoi’s most important job is deployment, deployment, deployment. And again she is a uniquely qualified to get clean energy into the marketplace. Zoi was a manager at the US Environmental Protection Agency where “she pioneered the Energy Star Program,” which was the pioneering energy efficiency deployment program launched in the early 1990s. ...

Fairmont Hotels Power Up Green IT Program
Greener Buildings — ... promote responsible purchasing, cut waste and help shrink the company's carbon footprint. To better manage energy use, for example, computer workstations and laptops, which are centrally controlled by the brand, will power down after an hour of inactivity. The company says the measure will reduce energy consumption by an estimated 2,692,683 KwH per year and in turn produce a savings of 1,356 tonnes of CO2. The new procurement policy is expected to require that IT products are Energy Star rated or rated according to the ...

More Hip Than Hippie - What Does Green Mean?
More Hip Than Hippie Podcast — ... But our decisions are sometimes influenced by marketing terms that have little or no actual meaning. Learn to recognize these buzzwords and to identify credible claims, so you won't succumb to the seductions of greenwashing! Words. Marketers use a variety of vague terms to convince you of a product's green cred. Consumer Reports can help sort it out. Logos. Not all "certifications" are credible. You can trust logos from Energy Star, FSC, Rainforest Alliance, Green Seal, BPI and ...

A New Twist on AAA Ratings: Eco Icons for Green Lodgings
Greener Buildings — ... those properties that are AAA approved or Diamond rated will be eligible. Properties must also be a certified green lodging site as part of one of a number of state or national green lodging programs. For example, in order for a property in Florida to be included, it must be not only be AAA approved or Diamond rated, but also part of the Florida Green Lodging Program. There are a host of certifications that have agreed to partner with AAA so far, including national names such as Energy Star , ...

Climate for Action: Save Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Some Cash by Switching Your Light Bulbs
Greenversations — ... Do you have ENEGRY STAR light bulbs in your home? ENERGY STAR light bulbs are light bulbs that conserve energy and wear a label that says ENERGY STAR on them. Compared to an incandescent light bulb, an ENERGY STAR light bulb uses up to 75% less energy. These light bulbs conserve energy and therefore reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use. In fact, by replacing just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR light bulb you can save 400 pounds of greenhouse gases from entering into the atmosphere! So, let’s make an impact by using ENERGY STAR light ...

Trusty Old Robots vs. Energy Star Appliances
TreeHugger — ... appliance also may not make it pay for the upgrade, so you may want to reconsider giving up that old clunker for now if it is working for you. A good rule to follow is to keep appliances out of the junkyard for as long as possible. If it does the job well, than let them be, and maybe give them a tune up every now and again. When it gets to the point where there would be a significant cost to repair or refurbish an appliance, then that may be the time to start looking around for a new stainless steel, ultra efficient, front loading washing ...

Dell Launches Energy Savings Calculator, Energy Star 5.0 PCs
Environmental Leader — July 28, 2009 Dell Launches Energy Savings Calculator, Energy Star 5.0 PCs dellenergycalculator Dell has released a new energy savings calculator aimed at helping businesses determine the energy use of their computers systems, and a broad portfolio of Energy Star 5.0 compliant desktops, workstations and portable computers. The ...

Success Stories in Energy Efficiency
Green Inc. — ... , but partial credit goes to the state’s aggressive efficiency efforts, including setting state-level appliance standards and strict building codes. — EnergyStar : This federal program offers its label to the most efficient appliances in certain categories — thus helping consumers to know whether, say, the washing machine they want to buy is an energy-saver or an energy hob. However, as the McKinsey report notes, “many appliances and devices remain unaddressed.” — Efficiency Vermont : This “ ...

How to green your shopping
Super Eco News Feed — ... Mom and Pop stores for appliances and larger ticket items may make a trip to a nearby chain store inevitable. I usually decry the big-box shopping experience but at the very least a purchase from the greenest big-box store that you can find, supports someones livelihood. Because these establishments employ many of our neighbors and friends, buying locally--even from a larger store--may make more sense carbon footprint wise, than resorting to mail order. Always look for the Energy Star label when purchasing new appliances. Buying used items or ...

Sticker Shock: Walmart’s labeling scheme will be costly, but will it be effective? Two views.
Climate Progress — ... So far, most eco-labeling efforts have relied on voluntary certification of particular products. Examples include EnergyStar for electronics, the ...

Take the Living Zero Home Tour--Coming to a City Near You
Planet Green Articles Feed — ... when it was in New York City this past week) you can pick up literature on energy efficiency, check out the website for checklists to determine the energy efficiency of your home and what sort of renewable energy options you can take advantage of. Federal & State Tax Incentives, Rebates Make It More Affordable In terms of what state and federal tax incentives are available to help you out, the Living Zero site has some info, and then check out these references: Energy Star -- all sorts on info, comprehensive Database of State Incentives for Renewables ...

Sticker Shock: Walmart’s labeling scheme will be costly, but will it be effective? Two views.
Worldchanging: Bright Green — ... Eco-labeling informs consumers about a product’s environmental footprint. In essence, it empowers them to vote with their dollar—rewarding companies that reduce their impact and pushing the rest to do the same. Eco-labels have to the potential to drive innovation in the products we buy and in the processes that make them if they’re properly designed and widely adopted. So far, most eco-labeling efforts have relied on voluntary certification of particular products. Examples include EnergyStar for electronics, the ...

PepsiCo’s Chicago Plaza Earns Energy Star certification
Environmental Leader — ... Chicago downtown corporate plaza has earned Energy Star certification. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) also recently awarded the company the 2009 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award. The 17-story Chicago Plaza, built in 2002,  is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Existing Building Silver Certification. PepsiCo earned the Energy Star certification by improving the building’s energy efficiency performance through several initiatives with the help of its employee “Green Team.” The company ...

EPA Introduces Energy Star Toolkit for Houses of Worship
Greener Buildings — WASHINGTON, DC Houses of worship in the United States now have an array of online tools for managing energy use and reducing their carbon footprint with help from the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program. The EPA announced the availability of the ...

Green Talk Radio: Energy Efficient Products with ENERGY STAR
Sustainablog — ... ‘ Editor-In-Chief, talks about efficient ENERGY STAR products and the Change a Light Campaign with Wendy Reed, Campaign Manager for ENERGY STAR. ...

Urban Infill Strikes Gold in San Francisco
INHABITAT — ... to control lighting, shades, heat and security systems via an iPod, laptop or the Internet… high-efficiency Energy Star appliances (Bosch) and ...

As C.F.L. Sales Fall, More Incentives Urged
Green Inc. — An official at the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program has issued a grim assessment of the market for compact florescent light bulbs, or C.F.L.s, and is urging that funding for utility incentive programs be intensified. In a ...

Eco-Friendly Laundry
Modern Eco Homes — Did you know making the necessary (and admittedly mundane) household task of doing laundry more environmentally friendly is not only good for the environment but your clothes as well?  Find out how to “greenify” your laundry and make your clothes brighter, whiter and last longer. According to EnergyStar.gov , the average American family does approximately 400 loads of laundry each year – that’s a lot of water and energy being used!  So whether you’re looking to upgrade or your old clothes washer has gone kaput, when it’s time to get a ...

LED Scofflaws Abuse Lighting Label
Green Inc. — ... . The government’s well-established Energy Star label – which can also appear on LED packaging – indicates a product has met the program’s minimum requirements. The Lighting Facts label is different, however, in that it provides a consistent way to see how products measure up against each other. “Energy Star just basically says the product meets a certain criteria – it’s either pass or fail,” Mr. Brodrick explained. The Lighting Facts label “is a step up,” he said. “It let’s consumers make their own decisions.” Th Department of Energy is working to make the Lighting Facts ...

Workers are More Productive in Green Buildings, Study Says
Greener Buildings — ... rating system or bearing an Energy Star label . The researchers found that: The researchers calculated that the increase in productivity translates to a net impact of $20.82 per employee, based on office space of 250 square feet per worker and using average salary as an index. The researchers also said the 2.88 fewer sick days equates to a net impact of $4.91 per employee, which also was based on the average salary among the tenants, an office space of 250 square feet and 250 workdays a year. "If you consider the benefits in terms of recruitment, retention of employees, less ...

Lemnis Concedes Bulb Label May Mislead
Green Inc. — ... adding that if you use the Pharox60 in a directional way (“either pointing down from recessed cans, or pointing up from a relatively low position, e.g. a coffee table,” for example), the 60-watt claim is a fair one. However, in a follow-up conversation, Mr. Philips conceded that the way information is presented on the Pharox60 label “might insinuate that it could replace any 60-watt incandescent.” This was after he had consulted with officials at the Department of Energy and Energy Star . “We’re considering changing the packaging,” Mr. Philips told Green Inc. “It might even be ...

Get Beyond Switching Off Your Lights with Energy-Saving Tips from NRDC
Planet Green Articles Feed — ... is really just about being smarter, and a lot of that means improving our quality of life, not reducing it. Some useful tools for consumers: For appliances, look for the Energy Star label , which means the product is in the top 25 percent in its category in terms of efficiency. The label is issued by the EPA and is actually on the product you can't miss it. Look for energy rating systems: when you go to buy an air conditioner or refrigerator, there's a little yellow tag that says how much it will cost you to operate that appliance over the course of the year. It shows ...

Congress and Agencies Debate an Overhaul to the Federal Energy Star Program
Green Inc. — ... — intended to pre-empt legislation that would revamp the Energy Star program — is stirring debate on Capitol Hill. Various stakeholder groups, such as manufacturers, utilities and even ...

Energy Star Report Shows C.F.L. Concerns
Green Inc. — The government’s “ Energy Star ” program is supposed to bestow a seal of approval on consumer products that use less energy than competing models. But it has a number of flaws, as laid out in a ...

Energy Star Products Aren't Actually Meeting Energy Star Requirements
TreeHugger — ... Energy Star is regarded by consumers as one of the most reliable raters of electronics and appliances in terms of knowing how much energy a device consumes. The organization continually raises the bar (little by little, but still raises) on energy efficiency and tests products to see if they meet requirements for an Energy Star ranking. However, looks like a recent audit shows that Energy Star isn't so reliable after all. ... ...

Energy Dept. Audit Finds Flaws in Its EnergyStar Program
Conservation Value Notes — Apparently, the EnergyStar program is suffering not from lack of good standards, but from a lack of compliance monitoring: The Energy Department has concluded in an internal audit that it does not properly track whether manufacturers that give their appliances an Energy Star label have met the required specifications for energy efficiency. Some manufacturers could therefore be putting the stickers on unqualified products, according to the audit, by the Energy Department’s inspector general, Gregory H. ...

Fridges Get the Cool Treatment
EcoSalon — ... That’s hardly surprising. Once a luxurious marvel, the fridge has become an essential, invisible part of our modern lives. There’s one in over 95% of American homes – that’s just 4% away from being as common as the TV. The refrigerator may have revolutionized food storage, but at a lamentable cost to the environment (most notoriously via CFCs released by crumbling fridge insulation)…and to our electricity bills. Before those fine folk at Energy Star rolled their sleeves up, fridges were the most power-hungry appliances in the home. ...

Should Eco-Labels Come from Government or Third Party Private Organizations?
Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit — ... as diverse as building products and cleaning supplies.  The website defines an eco-label as, “any consumer facing logo that claims an added environmental or social benefit.”  Off the top of my head, I could only come up with about 20, and I work as a sustainability consultant and green business writer.  As a fairly savvy eco-consumer, I would expect to know more about these labels, and to know more of them. Some of these I know are good, such as the USDA Organic symbol, Energy Star for appliances, LEED for green building, Forest Stewardship Council ( ...

Why Rely on Questionable Energy Star Labels? Take Matters Into Your Own Hands with a Home Energy Monitor
Planet Green Articles Feed — Just because you buy appliances labeled as efficient, it turns out, doesn't mean you can trust that your energy bill will go down. At least not if you're counting on the Energy Star label, which is supposed to provide a reliable assurance that the EPA has approved the appliance as meeting certain ...

JLL Enrolls Entire U.S. Property Management Portfolio in Energy Star Program
Greener Buildings — ... program to benchmark and manage energy efficiency, the commercial real estate services firm said. The Energy Star Portfolio Manager program rates energy efficiency performance of buildings on a scale of 1 to 100. An Energy Star rating of 50, for example, means a building is more efficient than 50 percent of comparable building. A rating of 50 is considered the average industry score. A rating of 75 is required for a building to attain an Energy Star label. The average Energy Star ratings for ...

1 Million ENERGY STAR Homes And Counting
Greenversations — ... I have worked with the ENERGY STAR for New Homes program for nearly 10 years - first as the program’s Partner Support Coordinator and now as its Communications Coordinator. When I first came aboard in 2000, less than 14,000 ...

Want an Offer You Can’t Refuse? Show ‘Em How You Reduce & Reuse!
EcoSalon —

“Cash for Caulkers” Could Deliver $23B for Home Energy Efficiency
Earth2Tech — ... considering rolling out a two-year, $23 billion program to encourage homeowners to undertake weatherization projects such as adding air sealing, insulation and energy-saving light bulbs. The program would be called Home Star -– playing off the name Energy Star, the Environmental Protection Agency’s widely recognized energy efficiency program. The New York Times, in a ...

Understanding Eco Labels: Organic, Natural, Fair Trade, and More
Greenopia Environmental News — ... advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards, focusing on exports from developing countries to developed countries. This is another highly regulated standard. ENERGY STAR: This is the rating the EPA gives electronic products that fit an environmental standard. However, critics notes that the EPA standards have been rather lax lately due to lack of government oversight. CRUELTY-FREE: There are several labels that require humane treatment of animals. ...

Kohl's Aims for Carbon Neutrality by Close of 2010
Greener Buildings — ... as part of the EPA program that singles out commercial buildings and industrial plants in the U.S. with energy efficiency ratings that reach the top 25 percent.