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Business Boost With Energy Star
 The RoHSwell View, by Ray Franklin, 2/22/2009

When President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on February 17, 2009, he launched a huge business opportunity. The act uses tax credits to encourage consumers, businesses and home builders to increase energy efficiency. The tax credits are tightly coupled to the US Energy Star program.

As with RoHS, WEEE, REACH and similar legislation, ARRA creates a marketing opportunity for businesses willing to take advantage. By offering green products that are qualified by the Energy Star program, you can tap into a recognized energy efficiency brand and increase your sales. The federal government is a captive audience, required by law to purchase Energy Star products. On the expense side, you can reduce your energy bills and qualify for tax credits through another part of the same program. Over 16,000 US businesses already participate.

Joining is easy.

  1. Visit the partner resources page and click on the "Join ENERGY STAR" link.
  2. Select a partnership type. Choices include manufacturers, retailers, energy efficiency programs, residential construction, commercial organizations, government organizations, architects, small businesses and congregations. For this example, we chose manufacturers.
  3. Determine your eligibility. If necessary, check out the Product Specifications page and read one of the dozens of specific eligibility requirements documents for your chosen product type.
  4. Download and complete a Manufacturer Partnership Agreement Packet. The document is an editable PDF that you can complete and save for electronic submission.
  5. Email the completed agreement to the appropriate office.

If you need general information about the process, you can send your questions to:

  1. join at
  2. energystar.gov

Once your business has been accepted as an Energy Star partner, you will have full access to all the marketing tools available. These include a wide range of graphics and text, plus a link from the highly ranked Energy Star web site. The home page has a Google page rank of 8.

Energy Star is also an international program. International partners include Australia, Canada, the EU, the European Free Trade Association, Japan, New Zealand and Taiwan. International partners are implementing Energy Star in their respective nations. Though there is no official connection between the EU's Energy-using Products (EuP) directive and Energy Star, there are obvious overlaps and differences. EuP is mandatory while Energy Star is voluntary. The same aspects of energy usage are covered by both, notably active and sleep modes.

In conclusion, Energy Star is an easy way to expand your marketing reach. Participation can amplify your energy efficiency message and enhance your ability to sell to government agencies around the world.

Additional Resources



Energy Star resources for business

Energy Star tax credits for consumers

Energy Star tax credits - full detail on the Energy Star web site.

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