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For thousands of years our planet’s given us energy, lots of energy!
But in the process, we’ve put our planet under stress and now it needs our help. If we want to keep our planet healthy, we must find better ways of getting and using energy.
Join ENERGY STAR in the fight to save our planet by being energy efficient.
Energy is stuff that makes things happen. Energy is found everywhere in the world and comes in many forms:
Without energy, your body wouldn’t grow, your car wouldn’t move, the lights in your house wouldn’t work, and that’s just to name a few.
We need energy for everything we do in life, and we need lots of it!
Energy is all around us. It’s in the light we see, in the food we eat, and in the ground we walk on. In fact, energy is everywhere! The problem is, we can’t always use energy. If we want to use energy we have to first make some changes. Explore our energy landscape to learn more!
The electricity in your house comes from different types of fuels. This energy is often produced far away and is sent along wires into your home.
Our bodies can change the food we eat into energy.
Plants can change sunlight into useful energy, which makes them grow!
Things like cars, airplanes, and buildings use a kind of food which we call fuel. Gasoline, coal, and wood are all types of fuel, but there are many more. Think of fuel as stuff that has energy inside, just waiting to get out to do something.
The energy we use to power things, like our cars and homes, comes in two different types: renewable energy and non-renewable energy. Explore the landscape to learn about the two types of energy.
Renewable energy comes from things that won’t run out—wind, water, sunlight, plants, and more. These are things we can reuse over and over again. These methods of producing energy are often cleaner and better for our environment than non-renewable ones.
Non-renewable energy comes from things that will run out one day—oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium. Oil, coal, and natural gas are known as fossil fuels. These fuels are produced from animal and plant material that’s millions and millions of years old.
Energy allows us to do so many things that make our lives better. But energy isn’t free, and there are several prices to be paid. Explore the landscape to see some of the consequences of using energy.
Energy costs money. So, the less energy you use, the more you save! One way to do this is to buy energy-efficient products, like the ones with the ENERGY STAR label.
Using too much of certain types of energy, like fossil fuels, can pollute our environment and possibly lead to global warming. Often, the electricity in your home is produced at power plants using fossil fuels, like coal. The less energy we use, the less impact we have on our environment, and that means our planet stays clean and healthy.
We have to remember that there’s a limited supply of things that give us energy, like coal and oil. They won’t last forever, so it’s important to use what we have left wisely.
So, how do we use less energy? That’s another good question. If you want to stay warm, you need energy. If you want to light your house, you need energy. If you want to drive to the store, you need energy. It seems like you need more, not less, energy!
That’s just the problem. We all need more energy every day, which is why energy efficiency is so important. When we’re energy efficient we use less energy to do something as good as, or better than, before. We have to remember there is a limited amount of non-renewable fuel sources such as coal and gas. Even if we don’t run out of fuel, we can damage our environment by using too much and wasting energy.
Things come…
Things go.
Our planet’s climate is no different. Slowly, over long periods of time our planet naturally undergoes changes in temperature.
Sometimes it’s hot.
Sometimes it’s cold.
But now, something else is happening.
Human beings have come onto the scene. Over the centuries we’ve made great progress. Some of our advances have even changed the world, but are we changing our climate…?
Many leading scientists think so. Because of the demands of our growing population we are adding more and more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which can lead to global warming.
So what’s the big deal? The warming of our planet might sound nice, but it can lead to big problems, like…
As you can see, we face plenty of trouble if our planet heats up too much, too quickly. So what can we do? Lots! There are many ways to lessen our impact on the environment and make our world a cleaner, greener place to live.
Learn more about global warming.
Change your ways and become an ENERGY STAR!
There are many things we can do every day to save energy and our planet. Find out what you can do—right in your own bedroom!
Use your fan wisely to make the most of the air in your room. It’s all about the direction your fan spins—in the summer to the left (or counterclockwise), in the winter to the right! And remember: ceiling fans only cool people, not the room. So when you leave the room, turn it off.
When your cell phone is done charging, unplug the charger from the wall. The charger wastes energy when nothing’s plugged in to it.
Plan on asking for a game console for your birthday? Be sure to ask for one that’s earned the ENERGY STAR because they use less energy. And hey—turn off the one you have when you’re not using it. Mom and Dad will really appreciate that!
Hey, rock star! Remember to unplug appliances you're not using to avoid unnecessary energy use.
Light up your life with energy-efficient ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs and fixtures.
Let them sleep and they will save. Ask your parents to help you set the ENERGY STAR power management features on your computer and monitor.
Your room’s not afraid of the dark. Always turn off lights when you leave.
Vampires aren’t only in movies you watch! Did you know that your TV sucks energy even when you're not using it? Make sure you ask for ENERGY STAR when getting a new TV because they use less energy when they’re off or on.
Make it easy on the air and keep those vents clear. It takes less energy to pump air into your room when the vents aren’t blocked.
That’s not a monster you hear—that’s air blowing through a crack around your window. If you hear this noise and feel a draft near your window, be sure to tell your parents. They will likely need to caulk and weather-strip around your window to make sure no air is coming in, or going out.
Don’t waste energy on an empty room—save it!
More energy saved means a healthier planet!
The more we reuse things, the less we damage our planet.
ENERGY STAR products use less energy than others.
Remember, vehicles burn fossil fuels, which contribute to global warming. The less we use, the better!
Water is precious and takes energy to clean it, so don’t waste it!
Hot and cool air escape quickly. Don’t let the conditioned air get away!
It takes energy to make paper, so don't waste it!
We want to keep our planet green and clean!
saving our planet, one kilowatt at a time.
Meet the most energy-efficient superheros ever.
In 1992 an elite team of energy-saving products set forth to conquer the world of energy waste. They are the ENERGY STARs! Many will apply, few will make it. It takes more than just a pretty face to become an ENERGY STAR product. It takes a commitment to energy efficiency. That, and a label, an ENERGY STAR label!
Las Vegas, NV
To illuminate the world.
“Live bright, live long, and leave a good-lookin’ world behind!”
As a kid, Bulby knew he was different. He always outlasted the other bulbs and produced less heat. This made the other bulbs jealous and they teased him. But this didn’t bother Bulby much, for he felt he was meant for greater things, he just didn’t know what.
One day, a man on the street passed and said, “Keep up the good work, LED!” “LED?” thought, Bulby. “What’s that?” He looked it up and found that LED stood for, light emitting diode. These bulbs used less energy, saved money and would help save the world! And he was one of them! After that, Bulby set off to fulfill his destiny. He formed the ENERGY STARs, a collection of like-minded, energy-efficient products, whose mission is to save energy and the world! Meet the rest and join them today!
How many kids does it take to change a light bulb and save some energy? Just one—YOU! LED light bulbs like me use lots less energy and last a lot longer than incandescent light bulbs. Change a light today!
Wheeling, WV
To keep your clothes clean and the Earth green.
“If you got clean clothes and a dirty world, you ain’t got nothin’”
Bubbles grew up on a small farm in West Virginia. Her momma and papa were washboards who worked long and hard washing clothes all day. Bubbles saw how tired they were and how all the dirty water was messing up the nearby creek. Her papa was old-fashioned and it was hard for him to change his ways. He was skeptical of all this energy efficiency. But Bubbles knew better and vowed to become energy efficient. One day, she was talking to one of her dishwasher friends and learned about the ENERGY STARs. This was what she had been waiting for! So, Bubbles packed her bags and set out to join their team. Today, she proudly wears the ENERGY STAR label and saves energy every day!
Hey y’all! Help your mom and dad—and me—by using cold water to wash your clothes whenever you can. Also, make sure the washing machine is full when you turn it on!
Chicago, IL
To spin quieter, faster and more efficiently.
“I spin. I save. That’s what I do.”
Celine grew up in Chicago and spent her days slowly circulating the air in local jazz clubs. She was young and grew tired of hanging out all day with the older fans. Her cousin, a wind turbine out in Nevada, used to tell her stories about all the new stuff happening with fans saying, “Everyone’s becoming energy efficient, It’s the future!”
Celine decided it was time for her to become energy efficient too. She took all the money she’d been saving, got herself some new blades, a new motor, and headed west! She met a kind room air conditioner out in Las Vegas who told her about the ENERGY STARs. She decided to join them and is now fighting for energy efficiency and a cleaner, greener world!
Hey kids! Remind your parents to fight ceiling fan misuse by checking out the fans in your house. To help your fans heat and cool your house the best they can, ask your parents to follow these rules: In the winter, set the fan to spin clockwise. In the summer, set the fan to spin counterclockwise.
Silicon Valley, CA
To teach others, especially computers, that a little sleep saves a lot of energy.
“I get a lot done when I’m asleep.”
Larry grew up in Silicon Valley and comes from a loving, open-minded family. His dad, a desktop PC, married his high school sweetheart, a Mac laptop. They always taught Larry to be tolerant of others and to be energy efficient. He took this to heart. In fact, Larry’s favorite pastime is saving energy. Well, actually it’s sleeping, but while he sleeps, he saves energy!
One day, while napping out in the park, one of the ENERGY STARs stumbled over him. Seeing all the energy he was saving, they asked him to join the team!
All I ask is that you kids let me sleep! Get your parents or teachers to check to make sure your computer’s sleep functions are turned on—even your computer needs a break sometimes!
New York, NY
To entertain and educate.
“Entertaining takes lots of energy; you might as well save some.”
When Teley was a kid, there were only a few channels and TVs weren’t used as much. He was able to save lots of energy in stand-by mode when nobody was watching. But today, TVs are used all the time! Teley’s smart, though, and has learned how to save energy in active mode while he’s turned on. Saving energy is very important to Teley and he wants to make it his goal to tell the rest of the world about the benefits of saving energy. One day, while flipping through channels, he came across an ad for the ENERGY STARs. “That’s it!” he exclaimed. The very next day, he joined the team and is now spreading the word of energy efficiency!
Howdy partners! How about reading a book instead of watching TV sometimes? No? Ok, ok, how about just turnin’ off the TV when you’re not in the room? Thanks a bundle!
Find out the Why, Where, How, and Who of Energy.
Coal is a non-renewable source of energy that takes millions of years to make. It comes from energy stored by plants that lived millions of years ago. It is the most abundant fossil fuel produced in the United States.
Natural Gas is a non-renewable source of energy that takes millions of years to make. The main part of natural gas is called methane. Natural gas comes from plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. It is a fossil fuel.
Nuclear energy is a non-renewable source that comes from the energy stored in tiny particles called atoms. Uranium is the metal found in the earth that is needed to get the whole process going.
Other Renewable energy sources include: wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass (excluding Hydrogen).
Hydroelectric is a renewable energy source that uses the movement of water to make energy.
Oil (petroleum) is a non-renewable source of energy that takes millions of years to make. It comes from plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. It is a fossil fuel.
While natural gas is the most common, there are many other types of gases used to make energy.
The energy sources listed above are the most common, but there are other ways to make energy.
64% of Americans are worried a “great deal” or “fair amount” about global warming, the highest level since 2008 (66%).
Only 10% of Americans believe the effects of global warming will never occur, the lowest level since 2007 (8%).
61% of Americans say there is solid evidence of global warming.
40% of Americans say that global warming is occurring mostly because of human activity, while 18% said it was due to natural patterns in the Earth’s environment.
71% of the Americans said the country “should do whatever it takes to protect the environment,” with 56% believing that “stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.”
69% of consumers rate energy conservation as an important or very important factor to their daily purchase choices and activities.
Americans have purchased more than 5.2 billion ENERGY STAR certified products. This is great news, since the more energy we all save, the healthier our planet will be!
In 2014, Americans—with the help of ENERGY STAR—saved $31 billion on their energy bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 59 million cars.
ENERGY STAR homes are typically 15—30% more efficient than standard homes.
The typical household spends about $2,000 a year on energy bills. With ENERGY STAR, you can save over 30% or about $550 on your household energy bills!
The average house is responsible for 24,000 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions per year, twice as much as the average car.
ENERGY STAR certified homes save about $300 each year! Over the years, this adds up to thousands of dollars!
The ENERGY STAR label makes it easy to identify homes that are truly energy efficient.
Each home that earns the ENERGY STAR can keep 4,400 lbs of greenhouse gases out of our air each year. This is good since greenhouse gases contribute to global warming.
WOW! It sure does cost a lot of money to keep your house running smoothly. With ENERGY STAR, your parents could save $550 a year! Just think of all the games, vacations and other fun stuff that money could be used for! (Although, don’t be surprised if your parents just want to save it. Hey, you’re going to college one day, you’ll need it!)
Teach kids how becoming energy efficient can help save our world!
Schools across the country have joined the ENERGY STAR community—committing themselves to both their students and the environment.
Get involved with your kids and make a pledge today!
Schools play a crucial role in the success of the Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign. Anyone can take the pledge. Schools and community organizations can help drive the pledge. See what you and your kids can do to help.
This ENERGY STAR website provides content to children. It is EPA policy, in compliance with the requirements of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), to collect no information online about or from children under the age of 13 except when it is needed to identify a submission or to answer a question. Any such instances where information is collected on Web pages for children will be clearly marked. Unless required by law, none of the information will be used for another purpose or shared with third parties, nor will personally identifying information be published on the EPA website. When EPA offices identify the work product of a child under thirteen on the ENERGY STAR website, only the first name, age, and home state of the child will be stated (e.g., Mike, age 7, Kentucky) unless the parent makes a hardcopy request to have additional information posted.
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