The EPA’s Energy Star program has once again raised its standards for what TVs will earn the desired eco-label. The new requirements were finalized on September 3 and will go into effect on May 1, 2010, with the stricter standards outlined in the program going into effect two years later on May 1, 2012.

With televisions in the U.S. consuming enough power annually to power all the homes in the state of New York for a year, the call for more efficient TVs is a valid one, especially with more and more Americans investing in super-sized sets. Television makers will now have to find ways to make their products even more eco-friendly than they’ve made them to meet current Energy Star standards, which were laid out less than a year ago.

As of May, a television will have to be 40% more energy efficient than the average set to earn Energy Star labeling, with limits on how much electricity the model can drain while turned on and also when in standby mode (the setting where most Americans think their television is completely turned off, but the TV is still using a small amount of energy). In 2012 an Energy Star-labeled TV will have to be 65% more energy efficient than a standard set—a considerable jump from initial Energy Star standards. Coupled with the EPEAT-for-TV standards that are currently in development, knowing which television is truly eco-friendly could soon be much simpler. Click here to read more

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Have you ever wondered what a highly energy-efficient home looks like? Catch the Living Zero Home Tour to get a peek at what it takes for a home to generate all of its power from renewable energy while using less energy in the first place. The touring home was built using eco-friendly construction methods with green materials. It’s also jam-packed with Energy Star products including a GE dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, dryer and oven. The home is equipped with both solar power and solar lights.

Aside from marveling at the big picture–this really is a net-zero energy home–the interactive tour hopes to educate visitors on the small steps they can make in their regular homes.

Watch for the tour to come to a city near you. Click here to read more

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With the first day of summer just around the corner, temperatures are rising outside and inevitably, they’ll rise inside, too. So what’s the most eco-friendly way to cool your home? Here’s a clue: It’s not your air conditioner. Instead, go for a little piece of technology that’s been around for over 100 years: The ceiling fan.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), ceiling fans consume only a tenth of the energy that AC does and it can make a big difference. The air circulation can cool a room off by up to ten degrees. Choose an Energy Star rated model for the biggest savings like Craftmade’s Phoenix Series Ceiling Fan. It’s as easy to install as a new light fixture. Plus, with a feature that allows you to reverse the direction of the blades it can pull warm air down to keep you warm and help you save energy during the winter, too. Click here to read more

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The only place you’ll find EPEAT labeling is on computers—but not for long. The ever-growing environmental concern that is the television industry has—somewhat reluctantly—agreed to partcipate in the voluntary labeling system that has now become known as a valuable standard for desktops, laptops and monitors.

It’s not the first environmentally-geared rating system being applied to televisions, of course. Energy Star certification has not only been around for awhile, but has been consistently moving toward certified models requiring more significant energy savings over conventional models. Energy Star certification, however, only takes into account the energy efficiency of a television, whereas EPEAT for televisions will not measure energy use but instead assess the environmental impact that components like lead, mercury and chemical flame retardents will have. Televisions that contain lesser amounts of environmentally damaging materials will rank well.

Because current EPEAT labeling on a computer also means the product is Energy Star certified it’s possible that EPEAT labeling on TVs will also require Energy Star certification on that particular set, in which case the EPEAT label could become the primary label to look for when consumers seek out greener screens. Critics have expressed concern, however, about the more complicated labeling system that EPEAT uses, citing the simplicity of Energy Star certification as an easier way for shoppers to determine the best TV. Click here to read more

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Self-proclaimed, eco-mom Kelly Ripa and Electrolux just launched a brand new Kelly (get it?) Green washer and dryer set that’s eco-friendly and energy saving, too. The Electrolux IQ-Touch High Efficiency front load washer and matching dryer are available in the limited edition color now and offer the same eco advantages as the other hues.

The Energy Star eco-friendly appliances help minimize energy and water consumption. The washer is up to 75 percent more energy efficient and uses 56 percent less water in part because the wash cycle is super quick, taking only 18 minutes! An option also reduces the water temperature, so you’ll use up to 43 percent less energy than a hot water wash–smart laundry do’ers know the hot cycle is unecessary and actually harder on your clothes anyway. Meanwhile, the dryer boasts the same quick 18 minute cycle, again saving energy.

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