Why Rely on Questionable Energy Star Labels? Take Matters Into Your Own Hands with a Home Energy Monitor

Just because you buy appliances labeled as efficient, it turns out, doesn't mean you can trust that your energy bill will go down. At least not if you're counting on the Energy Star label, which is supposed to provide a reliable assurance that the EPA has approved the appliance as meeting certain energy efficiency standards. An internal audit at the Energy Department found that weak oversight means the program has not been "accurate or verifiable," and that many products with an Energy Star label do not actually meet the efficiency standards set out for it.

The problem needs to be fixed by the agencies overseeing the program, of course—the onus should not be on the consumer, since the labels are meant to help people make purchasing decisions, not add to the uncertainty. Hopefully the audit will motivate the Energy Department and the EPA to make some serious changes, and fast. But in the meantime, add the only-sometimes-reliable Energy Star label to the list of reasons to monitor your energy use at home (and why not the office as well). By finding out how much energy your appliances use and whether that amount fluctuates throughout the day, you can take measures to reduce your carbon footprint—and energy bill—as much as possible.

This is by no means a reason not to look out for efficient appliances—it's just a note of caution to ask additional questions at the store: the retailer may have experience with certain models being more reliable than others. Look to see if the appliance comes with a second source of information on its energy consumption, such as an energy rating system. And before you even start shopping, check out the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy for a little guidance on what to look for.