Glossary · Energy, bills & ratings
ENERGY STAR
Also called: ENERGY STAR certified · ENERGY STAR rated · ENERGY STAR label · ENERGY STAR Canada · ENERGY STAR qualified
The government-backed blue label for products and some homes that beat minimum efficiency standards by meeting stricter criteria.
What it means
ENERGY STAR sets specifications for products such as heat pumps, windows, water heaters, dehumidifiers and appliances, and certified models are tested and listed. The US program is moving from EPA to the Department of Energy, and Canada runs ENERGY STAR Canada under an agreement with the US. Many rebates require ENERGY STAR certification.
Why it matters in an audit
Checking for ENERGY STAR (or ENERGY STAR Most Efficient) is a quick way to shortlist efficient equipment and confirm rebate eligibility.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR air-source heat pumps (NRCan) | Use about 5% less energy than standard models | natural-resources.canada.ca ↗ |
In Canada
ENERGY STAR Canada continues; its October 2026 awards were announced by Environment and Climate Change Canada after NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency moved there on July 30, 2026. Canadian criteria can differ from US ones, for example for windows.