The EPA and U.S. Department of Energy are now recognizing products that have earned the Energy Star label that are the most energy efficient in their categories. The “Most Efficient” initiative, which is in its pilot stage, aims to provide all manufacturers with an incentive for greater product energy efficiency while providing consumers new information about the products that comprise the top tier in the categories.
“The new Most Efficient designation is the next step towards encouraging new, more energy-efficient products to enter the market so that consumers will have even more choices when it comes to high-performance, high-efficiency products that will save them energy and money,” says Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
The Most Efficient recognition will represent approximately the top 5 percent of models on the market in the following categories: clothes washers, heating and cooling equipment, televisions, and refrigerator-freezers. The following Energy Star partners’ products are among the first to be recognized as Most Efficient: Electrolux Major Appliances, Sears’ Kenmore, LG, Samsung, Best Buy’s Insignia Brand, Panasonic, Nordyne, and Rheem. Later this year, EPA will initiate a process to consider additional product categories for potential inclusion in 2012.
