Handmade energy may get slapped in the face, or so it seems of some Energy Star appliances may. Amongst a stagnant economy, sluggish sales, and rising energy costs, green-oriented solutions have been marketed as a win-win scenario: manufacturers will see increased sales of their money saving, energy efficient products that consumers will purchase because the costs of purchase are dulled by the promise of savings using the appliance, plus the added government funded stimulus credit to offset the price. If all this is true, as the federal government prepares to allocate funding to states to enact this program, why then the backlash now? The truth, it seems, may not be all that true.
The auditing arm of the Energy Department is concerned that several “green” manufacturers may be cashing in on this incentive laden opportune time by falsely applying Energy Star ratings upon non-compliant appliances. The Energy Star label lends two vital selling points to the consumer: trust and savings. Unlike the light bulb and window manufacturing industries – who must receive approval of an independent auditor before placing the Energy Star emblem on their product – who will guard these guardsmen when manufacturers of major appliances (washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers) police themselves to ensure compliance while permitted to self-endorse themselves? It is this similar type of setting that led to scandal and financial ruin when greedy Wall Street corporations sold empty promises to an unsuspecting public. The outcry for 3rd party, independent auditing and accountability has been a battle cry since. The government can not afford to lose the faith of its citizens by not taking a stronger stance on installing legitimacy of the Energy Star that it blindly endorses.
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Tags: energy star, energy star appliances, green energy manufacturers, handmade energy, save money on energy
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