ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS UPDATE
New Five-Step
ENERGY STAR Campaign
Can Save Energy, Money, Environment
John Millett, 202-564-7842 /
millett.john@epa.gov
Average Home Can Cause More
Greenhouse Gas Emissions than Average Car
(Washington, D.C. -
June 16, 2004) What few people realize is that the average home can
cause more greenhouse gas emissions than the average car. EPA is
calling on Americans to protect our environment by taking five steps
in their own homes to improve energy efficiency. This new ENERGY
STAR public awareness campaign is part of EPA's ongoing commitment to
educate the public about the benefits of energy efficiency and preventing
air pollution.
Public Service Announcements have been sent by EPA to media markets around
the country. This multi-year campaign includes television, radio and
print public service announcements (in both English and Spanish) that
emphasize specific actions consumers can make in their homes to use energy
efficiently.
The campaign is based on five simple things everyone can do in their home
to make it more energy efficient:
1. Change five Lights. Replace your five most frequently used lights or
the bulbs in them with ones that have the ENERGY STAR label from EPA.
2.
Look for ENERGY STAR labeled Products. Available in more than 40 product
categories, including lighting and home appliances.
3. Heat and cool
smartly. Have your heating and cooling equipment serviced annually and
remember to replace air filters regularly. Use a programmable thermostat,
and when it's time to replace old equipment, choose an ENERGY STAR labeled
model.
4. Seal up your home.
Seal air leaks, add insulation and choose ENERGY STAR labeled windows.
5. Tell family and
friends. We're asking you to help spread the word that energy efficiency
is good for your home and the environment while reducing your monthly
energy bills.
Last year alone,
Americans, through the ENERGY STAR program, saved enough energy to power
20 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those
from 18 million cars - all while saving $9 billion.
As part of his February 2002 National Energy Plan, President Bush called
for increased public awareness of the ENERGY STAR program and its benefits
to consumers and businesses. The President also called for the
expansion of the program to provide the ENERGY STAR label to additional
building types including grocery stores, hospitals and hotels.
EPA introduced ENERGY STAR in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based
partnership to reduce air pollution by giving consumers simple
energy-efficient choices. Today, with assistance from the U.S.
Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR label is featured on more than 40
types of products as well as on new homes and buildings. More than 9,000
organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to
improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.
For more information, call 1-888-STAR-YES. For more information and
to see the Public Service Campaign, please visit:
http://www.energystar.gov. |
