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Holiday Shoppers: Look for the ENERGY STAR on Home Electronics

Release Date: 12/08/2003
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Contact: John Millett 202-564-7842 / millett.john@epa.gov

(12/08/03) - If all home electronics sold in the U.S. this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, the United States would reduce air pollution by 27 billion pounds over the life of the products - equivalent to removing about 350,000 cars from the road. That's why EPA is encouraging Americans to look for ENERGY STAR qualified products as they shop for the holidays. Home electronics that earn the EPA's ENERGY STAR, feature all of the latest technology but have the added benefit of helping the environment by using energy more efficiently.

"The ENERGY STAR program empowers Americans to save energy and help the environment, " EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt said. "Increasing the range of energy-efficient choices for Americans is a common-sense approach to achieving long-term energy efficiency and environmental protection."

It is estimated that by 2015, home electronics and small appliances will be responsible for almost half of all household electricity use. Seventy-five percent of all energy used to power home electronics is consumed when the products are turned off. ENERGY STAR qualified home electronics in the off position use up to 50 percent less energy than conventional equipment, which helps protect the environment.

Last year, six of the top seven home electronics products on holiday wish lists were available in ENERGY STAR qualified models.

This year, EPA is partnering with the Consumer Electronics Association and leading manufacturers, retailers, and utilities nationwide on the 2003 ENERGY STAR Home Electronics Holiday Campaign encouraging shoppers to look for Anext generation technology@ B home electronic products that feature all of the latest technology and contribute to a cleaner environment for future generations. The campaign runs through the holiday shopping season, ending in mid-January 2004.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR label can now be found on more than 40 product categories for homes and offices. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA and DOE. For more information, visit http://www.energystar.gov or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).


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