LogoGeneral FAQs

1. What is ENERGY STAR^®?

• ENERGY STAR is the international symbol of energy efficiency.
• The ENERGY STAR symbol helps consumers quickly and easily identify home appliances, and energy-using equipment that save energy. The ENERGY STAR symbol identifies products as high efficiency performers in their category.
• ENERGY STAR is a dynamic government/industry partnership that makes it easy for businesses and consumers to save money and protect the environment.
• The ENERGY STAR symbol helps consumers easily identify new houses that are energy efficient.

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 build, manufacture, sell or promote products or new homes 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)
• The ENERGY STAR symbol is on many products sold in Canada.
• The ENERGY STAR symbol, 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 symbol mark to Canada's EnerGuide label

• The ENERGY STAR symbol, 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 ENERGY STAR symbol 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 symbol on the EnerGuide label helps buyers identify the product as a top energy performer.
• The fundamental feature of the ENERGY STAR symbol is that it is an endorsement label for the most energy-efficient products or new homes sold in the marketplace.
• The ENERGY STAR for New Homes label is placed on a qualified new house to indicate that it meets the ENERGY STAR for New Homes technical specifications.
• The EnerGuide rating service enables energy evaluators to determine the energy efficiency of a new home and affix an energy rating label to the home's electrical panel. This label helps homeowners understand how their home's energy efficiency compares with others and estimate how much energy they will use.
• An EnerGuide rating label tells homeowners what the specific energy rating is for their ENERGY STAR qualified new home.

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;
• Lighting equipment ( compact fluorescent light bulbs, exit signs and traffic signals)
• Commercial and Industrial products (refrigerated beverage vending machines and commercial solid door refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers)
• New homes built in Ontario and Saskatchewan under the ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative.

5. How do products and homes 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 also qualify in Canada.
• In order for a new home to be ENERGY STAR qualified, it must be built to ENERGY STAR for New Homes technical specifications by a licensed ENERGY STAR for New Homes builder.

6. Why buy ENERGY STAR labeled products or an ENERGY STAR qualified house?

• 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.
• New houses that receive the ENERGY STAR label are approximately 30 percent more energy efficient than homes built to minimum standards of provincial building codes.

7. Where to find ENERGY STAR labeled products or ENERGY STAR qualified new homes?

• ENERGY STAR labeled products are found in retailers' showrooms across Canada.
• Consumers can look for the ENERGY STAR symbol 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.
• The ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative is currently available in Ontario and Saskatchewan. If you are a homebuyer or home builder in one of these provinces, you can contact your ENERGY STAR for New Homes Service Organization for more information.