Energy Star—lame-duck imprimatur

How can i check to see if my new refrigerator is truly an energy star refrigerator. Is there any web site to check my refrigerator? if someone knows please let me know.

Caught a little bit of you grilling the poor guy representing Energy Star on my car radio yesterday. . I have been involved in energy conservation since 1970 and do not sell a product, I work in the construction industry designing electrical systems and providing technical representation for clients.

In my opinion Energy Star is a minor player in the energy conservation, save the planet, industry in the state of California. You have probably never heard ot Title 24 Energy Regulations. They were initiated during the Jerry Brown governership in the early 1980’s in response to the Arab Oil Embargo when the price of a barrel of oil went from $5.00 to $35.00 (the good old days) in a matter of days. The public were getting huge, huge electrical bills on account of the California utilities had long term contracts for consuming oil to generate electricity.

The state government knew they could not lower the price of oil…………..but they had a brilliant idea, make mandatory regulations so that all new construction had to comply with the new Title 24 Energy Regulations. The program was/is a huge success. The goal of the program was that a house built 10 years forward would consume only ½ the energy as a 1980 home. They developed computer programs that could model any design, and run it through 365 days of historical weather for one of 16 different climate zones in the state of California, to allow for the weather in Big Bear, being different than the weather in Santa Monica. The program was hugely successful and the ½ goal was actually met in just a few years. In fact, with all of its growth California consumed less electricity up to the mid 19990’s than it did in 1980. “Title 24” became the gold standard for energy conservation all over the country. We had 12 years of Republican industry friendly national government, so very little in the way of energy conservation came out of Washington. I have been to seminars all over the country and it is commonly accepted by most attendees that Title 24 is the standard against which all other energy conservation laws are measured.

Energy star is a moot point as far the State of California is concerned. You should be educating your audience about how fortunate they are to have their building built to the standards of Title 24.

Here is a useful link for you to peruse. http://www.energy.ca.gov/

Joe Nolan
Electrical Engineer - E9333
Dream Engineering Energy Inc.
dreamjoe@aol.com

Joe did not quite finish his blog, so I am giving him a little of my time.

So to destroy one myth, or perhaps assumption, houses in California are extremely energy efficient and much more so than those built in any other state. Energy Star, as I understand was a half hearted attempt by the federal government during the Clinton administration to set standards for energy consuming appliances in the typical residence. California Title 24 goes way beyond Energy Star in standards for most all appliances. I believe that the California Energy Commission does test all the materials and appliances that it mandates for installation. A manufacturer is not allowed to sell any appliance or construction in California that has not been approved by the Energy Commission.

I know your are probably looking with a jaundiced eye and thinking how do we know they are not lying. My only answer can be that all houses built in California have to be approved and inspected by local building departments and it is pretty unlikely that some building inspector or official would not uncover a particular appliance not performing as per its approval criteria

Bev Nolan wife of
Joe Nolan
Electrical Engineer - E9333
Dream Engineering Energy Inc.
dreamjoe@aol.com