ENERGY STAR is the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.

Products can earn the ENERGY STAR label by meeting the energy efficiency requirements. The specifications are based on the following set of key guiding principles:

- Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide.
- Qualified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by -- consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.
- If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through utility bill savings, within a reasonable period of time.
- Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.
- Product energy consumption and performance can be measured and verified with testing.
- Labeling would effectively differentiate products and be visible for purchasers.

(Bron: www.energystar.gov)