General FAQs

1. What is ENERGY STAR^®?

• ENERGY STAR is an international symbol of energy efficiency.
• The ENERGY STAR mark helps consumers quickly and easily identify home appliances and other energy-using equipment that save energy. ENERGY STAR identifies products as the top high efficiency performer in their category.
  
• ENERGY STAR is a natural fit as one element of Canada's response to the Climate Change Initiative.
  
• ENERGY STAR is a dynamic government/industry partnership that makes it easy for businesses and consumers to save money and protect the environment.

2. What is ENERGY STAR in Canada?

• ENERGY STAR in Canada is a voluntary arrangement between Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency and organizations that manufacture, sell or promote products that meet the ENERGY STAR levels of energy performance.
• ENERGY STAR in Canada is administered by Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE)
• ENERGY STAR mark is on many products sold in Canada.
• ENERGY STAR mark, where applicable, is placed on the EnerGuide label.
• While EnerGuide provides buyers with the ability to shop and compare energy ratings, ENERGY STAR goes one step further and identifies products that meet prescribed higher levels of energy efficiency.

3. Complementary role of the ENERGY STAR mark to Canada's EnerGuide label

• The ENERGY STAR mark, which is placed on the product and/or incorporated in its literature, indicates that the product meets a premium level of energy efficiency making it easy for consumers to choose the most energy-efficient products sold in the Canadian marketplace.
• ENERGY STAR labeling complements EnerGuide.
• The EnerGuide for Equipment Program requires that EnerGuide labels be affixed to major household appliances to help the Canadian buying public compare the energy consumption of products sold in Canada.
• The fundamental feature of the ENERGY STAR mark is that it is an endorsement label for the most energy-efficient products sold in the marketplace.
• The ENERGY STAR mark on the EnerGuide label plays a complementary role to the EnerGuide label for applicable products - refrigerators, washers, dishwashers and room air conditioners.
• The ENERGY STAR mark on the EnerGuide label helps buyers identify the product as a top energy performer.

4. ENERGY STAR labeled products which will be labeled and promoted in Canada are:

• Appliances (refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and bottled-water coolers);
• Residential heating and cooling equipment (residential boilers, gas furnaces, air-to-air heat pumps, central air-conditioning units, louvred room air conditioners with no reverse cycle, programmable thermostats and dehumidifiers);
• Office equipment (computers, monitors, printers and fax machines, copiers, scanners and multi-function devices, bottled water coolers);
• Consumer electronics (TVs, VCRs, TV-VCR combinations, audio equipment and DVD products)
• Windows and sliding glass doors sold in Canada

5. How do products qualify for the ENERGY STAR mark?

• Qualifying ENERGY STAR labeled products must meet and exceed minimum Canadian Federal energy efficiency standards according to a prescribed performance level for each product area.
• Most products that qualify in the US automatically qualify in Canada

6. Why buy ENERGY STAR labeled products (saves money and the environment)?

• By choosing ENERGY STAR labeled products, buyers save energy and money on utility bills, reduce air pollution without sacrificing the features, versatility or style they expect from high-performing products.

7. Where to find ENERGY STAR labeled products?

• Already, ENERGY STAR labeled products are found in retailers' showrooms across Canada.
• Consumers can look for the ENERGY STAR mark on product packaging, literature, product advertising and, of course, on the products themselves - in some cases, you may also find it on the EnerGuide label.