UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- If you look for the Energy Star when you shop for appliances and equipment for your farm and home, advises an energy expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, you can reduce your energy expenses.

Energy Star is a federal government program designed to help people and businesses protect the environment by increasing energy efficiency. According to Dennis Buffington, professor of agricultural and biological engineering, products that earn the Energy Star label must meet strict criteria -- including using less energy than standard products -- without sacrificing features, style or comfort.

"While it is true that many Energy Star products cost more initially than the standard items, the value of the energy saved over the life of the product exceed the extra initial cost of the Energy Star product," says Buffington. "In other words, the product with an Energy Star label must be cost-effective. If we are using less energy with our Energy Star products, then less electricity and corresponding pollution needs to be generated at the power plants."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first introduced Energy Star in 1992 during the first Bush administration to identify and promote energy-efficient computers and monitors. Today, the Energy Star label is on a wide array of major appliances, office equipment, lighting, electronics, heating and cooling equipment, windows, motors, pumps and many other items. The Energy Star certification now is being applied to new homes and is being considered for commercial and industrial buildings.

"Realistically, homeowners and businesses can increase energy efficiency enough to reduce their energy expenditures by 20 to 30 percent, while improving the environmental quality of our air," Buffington says, offering a few examples:

--Energy Star refrigerators must be at least 10 percent more efficient than the minimum federal efficiency standard for refrigerators.

--Energy Star televisions must consume no more than 3 watts of electricity when turned off, compared to a standard television that consumes nearly 6 watts on average when off.

--Energy Star furnaces must have an efficiency of at least 90 percent, whereas the minimum federal efficiency standard for furnaces is 75 percent.

--Energy Star light bulbs must use no more than one-third the amount of electricity used by a standard incandescent bulb and also must meet criteria for useful life and reliability.

"When you purchase and use an Energy Star product, you will be saving energy, improving the environment for this and following generations, and saving money," says Buffington. "That's a winning combination!" EDITORS: Contact Dennis Buffington at 814-865-2971 or dbuffington@psu.edu.

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Contact:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-863-9877 fax #180