Grow with ENERGY STAR

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Take the ENERGY STAR Challenge

The ENERGY STAR Challenge is the gateway to proven, trusted resources for improving energy efficiency. Whether you're associated with a small school or a large corporation, a local government or a national association, a community hospital or a hotel group, a manufacturing plant or a retailer — you can be part of the ENERGY STAR Challenge and help improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more. Visit www.energystar.gov/Challenge to take the Challenge or access the online Challenge Toolkit.

Become an ENERGY STAR Partner

By joining as an ENERGY STAR Partner, you formally commit your organization to continually improving energy efficiency. Partners benefit from enhanced credibility and visibility through the ENERGY STAR program. As a partner, a senior executive from your organization agrees to:

• Measure and track your energy performance or encourage your members to do so.
• Develop and implement a plan to improve your building's energy performance or encourage your members to do so.
• Educate your staff/members/community about energy efficiency.
• Take the ENERGY STAR Challenge and help improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more.

Once you've joined as an ENERGY STAR Partner, share your commitment by displaying the ENERGY STAR Partner mark. As an ENERGY STAR Partner, you are also eligible to apply for the prestigious ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards.

Earn the ENERGY STAR

Commercial and industrial buildings that rate in the top 25 percent nationwide for energy efficiency may qualify for the ENERGY STAR. Commercial and industrial buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR use about 35 percent less energy than average buildings. ENERGY STAR partnership is encouraged, but not required to earn the ENERGY STAR label. Based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) national energy performance rating system, ENERGY STAR recognition is provided for buildings that earn a rating of 75 or better (on a scale from 1 to 100). Additionally, industry-specific energy performance indicators are used to determine industrial facilities that may qualify for the ENERGY STAR. Share your building's superior energy performance with the world by displaying the ENERGY STAR label prominently at your building's entrance. Architectural designs that qualify can now display the "Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR" graphic on building plans to distinguish their projects as among the nation's best in energy performance.

Become an ENERGY STAR Leader

ENERGY STAR Partners who demonstrate continuous improvement across a portfolio of buildings, not just in a single building, may qualify for recognition as an ENERGY STAR Leader. Based on EPA's national energy performance rating system, ENERGY STAR Leaders recognition is provided for portfolio-wide energy efficiency improvements of 10, 20, or 30 percent (or more) or for an average rating of 75 or better portfolio-wide.

Reach the Pinnacle as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year

This competitive group of prestigious award winners are chosen from the 9,000+ participating ENERGY STAR Partners each year for their outstanding accomplishments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year winners have saved millions in energy costs and prevented millions of pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Join award-winning companies and organizations like PepsiCo, McDonalds, San Diego Schools, JCPenney, Food Lion, Ford Motor Company, Marriott International Inc., and 3M and celebrate your ENERGY STAR achievements with the Partner of the Year Award mark.

Join the ENERGY STAR Small Business and Congregations Network

Apply for the ENERGY STAR Small Business and Congregations Awards, which recognize small businesses and religious organizations for practicing exemplary energy efficiency that translates into real dollar savings.

For additional information:

• Go to www.energystar.gov/buildings to learn more about ENERGY STAR opportunities for learning and recognition.
• Please visit ENERGY STAR Identity Guidelines to review the Guidelines for using ENERGY STAR marks.
• The EPA also offers opportunities for partnerships in green power, combined heat and power, and reducing high global warming potential gases. Visit www.epa.gov/epahome/industry.htm for more information.