You are likely familiar with the ENERGY STAR® label, recognized by 90% of consumers and knowingly purchased by nearly half of all U.S. households in the past year. More than a label, ENERGY STAR offers resources to help you differentiate, excel and increase revenue. Check out the opportunities below and on MemberNet, where you can always find the latest on ENERGY STAR.
Drive Sales and Loyalty with ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
Increase sales, save customers money and build loyalty by offering cutting-edge products that achieve the highest level of efficiency without a trade-off in features or functionality.
The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient distinction is awarded annually to the most efficient products among those that qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. Products recognized as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2019 demonstrate efficiency that is truly exceptional and inspirational — consistent with the interests of environmentally motivated consumers and early adopters.
Recognition criteria are renewed annually to ensure these products continue to represent the “best of the best.” Eligible products must be ENERGY STAR-certified by an EPA-recognized certification body and meet the applicable ENERGY STAR Most Efficient performance criteria. To learn more, visit www.energystar.gov/most_efficient.
Check Out ENERGY STAR Sales Training
Visit MemberNet to see the latest ENERGY STAR trainings and confirm you are using all available product facts and savings figures. Make sure your store staff and sales team understand the customer benefits of ENERGY STAR-certified products and how ENERGY STAR can help increase your bottom line.
Help Customers Save With ENERGY STAR Partnerships
Utilities around the country are offering rebates for ENERGY STAR-certified products. While you are talking to a customer about an ENERGY STAR-certified model, check the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder (www.energystar.gov/rebatefinder) for related local incentives. This online, searchable tool is designed to help ENERGY STAR partners leverage incentives and promotional opportunities with ENERGY STAR-certified products and includes a recently updated list of rebate programs.
Leverage ENERGY STAR National Promotions
Amplify your marketing by building on the collective national efforts of ENERGY STAR partners, and take advantage of Nationwide’s resources to participate in ENERGY STAR promotions, such as the upcoming Flip Your Fridge and Laundry Made Better.
ENERGY STAR brings regional energy-efficiency program efforts from across the country together in united, product-focused, co-branded campaigns — timed with product seasonality. During these time periods, the EPA will push out related content through a variety of channels to drive impressions and traffic to the ENERGY STAR website. Go to MemberNet to learn about resources and tools, such as signage and advertising creative, available to Nationwide Members.
Eliminate Confusion Around ENERGY STAR and HE
According to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) HE Guide, the HE designation is intended to match non-traditional washers (e.g. front-load and top-load without a traditional center post) with specially formulated laundry products. The use of HE beyond its intended purpose is misleading and potentially confusing to consumers who rely on ENERGY STAR as the symbol for energy efficiency. To help avoid consumer confusion:
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- Limit the use of the HE designation to identify the need for customized laundry detergent.
- Do not associate the words “high efficiency” with the HE designation or products that have not earned the ENERGY STAR.
- Ensure that online product categories and filters using the term “high efficiency” link to models that have earned the ENERGY STAR.
- Do not associate the HE designation with products (e.g. clothes dryers) that do not use laundry detergents.
Look for the ENERGY STAR! Remember, only products with the ENERGY STAR label are independently certified to be highly efficient.
Rick Weinberg is senior vice president of business services for Nationwide Marketing Group
