ENERGY STAR – Participant’s updates

ENERGY STAR Labelling Requirements

ENERGY STAR^® Brand Book

All ENERGY STAR Canada Participants must adhere to the ENERGY STAR Canada Brand Book - May 2021 when using ENERGY STAR marks or messaging.

Updates to the Requirements for the labelling and promotion of ENERGY STAR certified fenestration products

The 2022 Requirements for the Labelling and Promotion of ENERGY STAR Certified Fenestration Products Sold in Canada, now available on our website, provide detailed information on how to label and promote ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors and skylights in Canada.

Any questions regarding proper labelling or use of the trademarks should be submitted to fenestration@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023: Proposed product categories and recognition criteria

The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient proposed recognition criteria for 2023 was recently released. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the 2022 efficiency criteria into 2023 for ceiling fans, clothes washers, computer monitors, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, dryers, refrigeration products, room air conditioners, vent fans, and windows. EPA is proposing changes to the CAC/ASHP and geothermal heat pump criteria to ease the recognition processes. In response to sustained stakeholder interest and in service to consumers seeking ENERGY STAR Most Efficient products, EPA proposes to add recognition for room air cleaners in 2023. Televisions will not be recognized in 2023.

For more information, contact MostEfficient@energystar.gov or in Canada, e-mail ENERGY STAR Canada.

Technical specifications

Updates to ENERGY STAR technical specifications and notifications, 2021 and 2022

View all of our current technical specifications listing.

Appliances for residential use - Air purifiers, Residential Cooking Products , Dishwashers

Commercial equipment - Coffee Brewers, Electric cooktops, Hot Food Holding Cabinets (HFHC), Ovens, Refrigerators and Freezers, Light Commercial HVAC

Data Centres - Computer servers

Electronics - Audio/video products, Televisions

Heating, cooling and ventilating equipment for residential use - Central air conditioners and heat pumps, Room air conditioners

Lighting - Lamps

Office equipment - Computers, Imaging equipment

Water heaters - Residential water heaters

Other products - Water coolers, Electric vehicle chargers

Appliances for residential use – Air purifiers (also known as Room air cleaners)

May 2022
(Updated) Air purifiers - Version 2.0

EPA has updated the ENERGY STAR specification for the Air purifiers – version 2.0 to add a testing option for purposes of dust and pollen Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) reporting. The updated specification is effective as of May 12, 2022 and do not impact models currently certified.

For more information, visit the Room air cleaners development web page.

Appliances for residential use - Cooking products

January 2023
(Launch) Residential Cooking Products - Version 1.0

The efficiency level proposed in Draft 1 for the launch of the ENERGY STAR Draft 1 Version 1.0 Residential Cooking Products Specification is 16% more efficient than the highest energy consuming electric cooking product evaluated by EPA.

A participant webinar was recently held. An update should be soon made available on the ENERGY STAR Draft 1 Version 1.0 Residential Cooking Products Specification. 

Appliances for residential use - Dishwashers

June 2022
(In effect) Residential Dishwashers - Version 7.0

EPA released the final draft of the ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 Residential Dishwashers specification that will be in effect as of July 6, 2023. Participants are encouraged to submit comments on the Version 7.0 Final Draft specification by June 30, 2022 to appliances@energystar.gov.

For more information, visit the Residential dishwashers development web page.

Commercial equipment – Coffee Brewers

January 2023
(Update) Commercial Coffee Brewers – Version 1.1

Amendments to the current ENERGY STAR specifications for Commercial Coffee Brewers specification version 1.1 will align with the latest American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard test methods. There will not be an update to the specifications of either of these products as a result of the update to the test method references.

For more information, visit the Appliances for commercial use webpage.

Commercial equipment – Hot Food Holding Cabinets

January 2023
(Update) Hot Food Holding Cabinets (HFHC) – Version 2.0

Amendments to the current ENERGY STAR specifications for commercial Hot Food Holding Cabinets (HFHC) – Version 2.0 will align with the latest American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard test methods. There will not be an update to the specifications of either of these products as a result of the update to the test method references.

For more information, visit the Appliances for commercial use webpage.

Commercial equipment - Ovens

August 2022
(Final) Commercial Ovens - Version 3.0

Stakeholders are reminded that as of August 29, 2022, EPA-recognized certification bodies (CBs) are required to cease certification of new commercial ovens to the Version 2.2 specification and may only certify commercial ovens to the Version 3.0 specification.

The Version 3.0 will become effective on January 12, 2023.

More information can be found at the Commercial ovens product development webpage

Commercial equipment - Refrigerators and Freezers

December 2022
(Final) Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers - Version 5.0

The final version 5.0 ENERGY STAR Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers specification is in effect as of December 22, 2022. As of this date, only products certified to Version 5.0 and submitted by EPA-recognized certification bodies (CBs) to EPA using the Version 5.0 web service will display on our list of certified models. The version 5.0 specification offers consumers, on average, energy savings of up to 24 percent. This specification establishes updated performance levels for a subset of product classes previously in scope, expands scope to include service over the counter and chef base classes, and aligns with current industry test methods, terms, and definitions

More information can be found at the Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers development page

Light Commercial HVAC (Heat pumps)

January 2023
(Final) Light Commercial HVAC - Version 4.0

Extensive updates affect for Light Commercial HVAC specification (CAC_HP), Version 4.0:

• Very Small Unitary and VRF products
• Small and Large Commercial Unitary Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
• Gas/Electric Packaged Units
• Small and Large VRF Products
• Cold Climate Recognition

The updated specification and related materials are available on the ENERGY STAR Light Commercial HVAC Specification Development webpage.

Commercial equipment - Cooktops

Data Centres - Servers

August 2022
(Final draft) ENERGY STAR Computer Servers - Version 4.0

The final draft, Version 4.0 ENERGY STAR Computer Server specification is effective as of January 12, 2024. All comments received will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Computer Servers Specification Version 4.0 product development webpage unless the submitter specifically requests that comments remain confidential.

For more information, visit the Computer servers product development web page.

Data Centres – Storage

January 2022
(Final) Data Storage - Version 2.1

EPA finalised the amendments to the ENERGY STAR Data Centre Storage - version 2.1 specification on January 19, 2022. These amendments expand the marketing requirements for data centre storage products. Products certified to Version 2.0 will not need to be retested to maintain their ENERGY STAR certification.

For more information, visit the data centre storage product development web page.

Electronics – Audio/video products

November 2022
(Draft 1) Audio/video products – Version 4.0

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to share a first draft of the Version 4.0 ENERGY STAR Audio/Video specification.

In addition to adopting the latest CTA/ANSI test method, EPA proposes the following changes in this Draft 1 specification:

• Definitions and Scope
• Rounding
• EPS requirements
• Idle mode requirements
• On mode requirements
• Sleep mode requirements
• APD requirements
• Products with Audio Amplification shipped without speakers

EPA will host a webinar to discuss and answer questions regarding the Draft 1 on Tuesday, November 15 from 1 to 3 PM Eastern Time. Please register here to attend. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback and any relevant data for use in determining the ENERGY STAR performance levels no later than December 9, 2022 via e-mail to audiovideo@energystar.gov.

For more information, visit the Audio/video products specification development web page.

Electronics - Televisions

August 2022
(Final) Television - Version 9.0

The Version 9.0 will become effective on October 20, 2022. Stakeholders are reminded that as of June 2, 2022, EPA-recognized certification bodies (CBs) are required to cease certification of new televisions to the version 8.0 specification and may only certify televisions to the Version 9.0 specification.

For more information, visit the Televisions product development web page.

Heating, cooling and ventilating equipment for residential use - Central air conditioners and heat pumps

January 2022
(Final) CAC-HP - Version 6.1

The ENERGY STAR Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump version 6.1 specification released on January 5, 2022, and is effective immediately. This new version primarily affects the installation criteria.

For more information, visit the CAC-HP product development page.

Heating, cooling and ventilating equipment for residential use – Room air conditioners 

February 2023
(Final Draft) Room Air Conditioners - Version 5.0

The ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 Room Air Conditioner final draft technical specification has a final draft that has been released.

All comments received are posted to the ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioner Version 5 development page unless the submitter specifically requests that comments remain confidential.

More information can be found at the ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioner Version 5 development page.

Lighting – Lamps

July 2022
(Update) Important - Lighting

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently published final rules pertaining to definitions and standards for General Service Lamps and their policy for the enforcement of the 45 lumen-per-watt backstop.

ENERGY STAR Program is currently processing market implications of the new U.S. standard. Should the US EPA decide to go forward with a proposal to sunset or otherwise alter relevant ENERGY STAR technical specifications, it will do so through its usual open and transparent process with timing established in consultation with its stakeholders.

Given that utility rebate programs will still be running in 2023, we would not expect any such action to be effective before the end of next year.

Office equipment – Computers

January 2023
(Launch) Computer equipment – Version 9.0

Please note the launch of the Version 9.0 ENERGY STAR Computer specification. The Discussion Guide highlights an initial list of priority areas for this specification revision, key questions for stakeholders, and next steps in the revision process.

Stakeholders are encouraged to provide written comments to the EPA for consideration via e-mail to computers@energystar.gov no later than January 27, 2023. All comments received will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Computers Specification Version 9.0 revision webpage unless the submitter specifically requests that comments remain confidential.

For more information, visit the Computers Specification Version 9.0 revision webpage.

Office equipment - Imaging equipment

June 2022
(Draft) Imaging equipment - Version 3.2

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently published final rules pertaining to definitions and standards for General Service Lamps and their policy for the enforcement of the 45 lumen-per-watt backstop.

(U.S. EPA’s) ENERGY STAR Program is currently processing market implications of the new U.S. standard. Should the US EPA decide to go forward with a proposal to sunset or otherwise alter relevant ENERGY STAR technical specifications, it will do so through its usual open and transparent process with timing established in consultation with its stakeholders.

Given that utility rebate programs will still be running in 2023, we would not expect any such action to be effective before the end of next year.

Residential water heaters

November 2022
(Final) Residential Water Heaters - Version 5.0
Version 5.0 requirements will be effective on April 18, 2023.

Timeline and Next Steps

• Effective immediately, manufacturers may elect to have their Certification Body (CB) certify their eligible products to the Version 5.0 requirements, including recognition as connected.
• As of November 23, 2023, CBs will be instructed to stop certifying new product submittals to Version 4.0. Note, however, that existing certifications will remain valid for purposes of ENERGY STAR qualification until April 18, 2023.
• Any water heater manufactured as of April 18, 2023, must meet Version 5.0 requirements to bear the ENERGY STAR mark. All certifications of products to the Version 4.0 specification will be invalid for purposes of ENERGY STAR qualification and the product finder will only include models certified to Version 5.0.

For more information, visit EPA version 5.0 water heaters product development web page.

Other products - Water coolers

March 2022
(Final) Water coolers - Version 3.0

The Water Coolers Specification version 3.0 took effect March 23, 2022. Interesting to know that version 3.0 differentiates conditioned storage hot and cold as well as hot, cook, and cold water coolers based on their capacity, creating distinct categories for high-traffic locations like offices or commercial spaces and low-capacity environments like homes or small offices.

For more information, visit the Water coolers product development web page. 

Other products - Electric vehicle (EV) chargers

March 2022
(In effect) EVSE - Version 1.1

EPA released the version 1.1 EVSE Specification on March 31, 2021. This specification includes all current criteria for both AC and DC EVSE, as well as optional connected functionality criteria in Section 3.10. These connected criteria seek to identify products that provide consumer amenity and grid services through connection to other systems. EVSE that comply with these criteria are identified on the ENERGY STAR website as being ‘Connected Capable’.

For more information, visit the EV chargers product development web page.