If you’ve been to any home improvement store recently, you’re probably familiar with the ENERGY STAR logo. The ENERGY STAR logo is pasted all over different kinds of products, ranging from telephones to swimming pool equipment and everything in between. Each kind of product has its own specifications set out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it must meet in order to earn the ENERGY STAR endorsement. Since each product is different, it is only fitting that the specifications vary accordingly. One thing that is common amongst all the requirements? Products must not only be energy efficient, but they must provide certain features and benefits desired by customers.

In order for a ceiling fan to earn the ENERGY STAR label, it must meet the minimum airflow and efficiency requirements as set out by the EPA. This means that on different speeds, the fan must generate a certain amount of airflow, expressed in cubic feet per minute. It also has to achieve certain efficiencies, meaning that it must generate a certain amount of airflow per watt expended by the fan.

Another requirement for qualification is related to the way the fan is controlled. The fan must allow convenient control by the user by means of a wall switch, remote control, or pull chain. The user must be able to easily control the speed of the fan, the direction of the fan and airflow, as well as any lights the fan may accommodate.

Speaking of lights, if the fan comes with a light kit, the lights must abide by the ENERGY STAR specification for luminaires in order for the whole piece to receive the ENERGY STAR label.

Lastly, the product must come with certain warranties. The motor must come with at least a 30 year warranty and all other components must come with a warranty of one year or more. Light kit warranties are discussed in the ENERGY STAR Luminaires specification.

It is estimated by the EPA that up to 50 percent of the energy used in homes goes to heating and cooling systems. Because of that, it’s important to cut down on energy use for those systems every chance we get. If you won’t do it for the environment, at least do it for your wallet. After all “over their lifetime, products in your home that have earned the ENERGY STAR label can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 13,000 pounds and save you $11,000 on energy bills,” (EPA.gov).

To learn more about the ENERGY STAR label and its product requirements, go to www.energystar.gov. Looking for an ENERGY STAR labeled fan? Look no further https://creativeinksandbox.com/products/energy_star. New ENERGY STAR certified fans will be available in 2015 including the Ascension, the Xeno, the Levon DC, the Spitfire, and the Odyn.