Minimum standards of energy efficiency for many major appliances were established by the U.S. Congress in the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) of 1987, and in the National Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments of 1988.

Energy Star was introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the Energy Star label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular product categories. Energy Star has expanded to cover new homes, most of the buildings sector, residential heating and cooling equipment, major appliances, office equipment, lighting, consumer electronics, and more product areas.

Before you purchase new appliances for your home, get up to speed on the new technologies by following the links below: