Save money, protect environment with ENERGY STAR®

by Dan Kaneko | July 30, 2022

I always look forward to the summer season because it provides perfect beach days, outdoor barbecues, and maybe even a summer trip or two. However, the tradeoff for enjoying my favorite summer activities is having to endure the warmer, often uncomfortable, summer weather. And the warm temperatures don’t only affect us, it affects our appliances too. During the summer, our appliances are forced to work harder to do their usual jobs.

As energy consumption generally goes up during the summer, it is even more critical to adopt energy-efficient practices. Turning off lights not in use and refraining from peeking in the refrigerator are always good habits but upgrading to energy-efficient appliances could offer even more noticeable results. LED light bulbs and advanced power strips are a great place to start, but if you’re in the market for larger household appliances — like refrigerators, clothes washers, and dryers — choosing an ENERGY STAR®-certified appliance can lead to even greater savings.

What is ENERGY STAR®?

ENERGY STAR® is an energy efficiency program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The ENERGY STAR® logo serves as an easily recognizable cue to inform consumers which products can save them money and protect the environment. Every product that earns the ENERGY STAR® stamp of approval is independently certified to meet the energy efficiency standards that consumers have come to expect.

While ENERGY STAR® provides a variety of tools and resources for businesses, home developers, utilities and governments, most consumers will benefit from the program’s energy-efficient products.

Look for the ENERGY STAR® logo when shopping for these products:

• Refrigerators and freezers
• Dishwashers
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Air conditioning systems
• Water heaters
• Smart thermostats
• Dehumidifiers
• Televisions
• Computers, monitors, tablets and printers
• Audio/video equipment
• Lighting
• Ceiling fans
• Residential windows, doors and skylights

Choosing ENERGY STAR® isn’t just a great way to reduce energy consumption and save money, it’s also a great way to help Hawaii meet its clean energy goals. By using ENERGY STAR® products, you’re helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants that result from energy use.

So the next time you’re looking to make your home more energy efficient, remember to look for the ENERGY STAR® logo when shopping for new appliances.

To learn more about the ENERGY STAR® program, visit energystar.gov.

For rebate offers and other energy-saving resources, visit hawaiienergy.com.

Dan Kaneko is a digital communications and social media specialist at Hawaiian Electric Company.