New Energy Star Label for Buildings Available

A new addition to the Energy Star™ family of programs from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is the Energy Star Label for Buildings. Unlike the Energy Star Buildings Partnership Program, in which an entire company or organization signs up, pledging to carry out various energy improvements to their facilities over time (see EBN

Vol. 7, No. 6), the Energy Star Label for Buildings is specific to particular buildings. It is a way to recognize buildings that are in the top 25% of all buildings in the country in terms of energy performance. Currently the program is limited to commercial and institutional office buildings, but it will be expanded to cover schools, retail stores, and other building types within the next 12 to 18 months, according to the EPA.