No—not as of August 18, 2026. ENERGY STAR is still operating, but it has been reshaped. The Department of Energy (DOE) became the program’s lead federal agency on March 3, 2026, while several product categories and services have already been discontinued or narrowed.
For homeowners, builders, manufacturers, utilities, and commercial-building operators, the practical answer is not simply “alive” or “dead.” ENERGY STAR is still active, changed in administration, and less certain in its future funding and coverage.
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The 30-second answer
- There has been no verified full termination of ENERGY STAR as of August 18, 2026.
- DOE—not EPA—is now the lead agency under an EPA–DOE agreement effective March 3, 2026.
- The agreement states an initial 10-year term, but it is nonbinding, depends on appropriations and available resources, and permits withdrawal with at least 365 days’ notice.
- Official product-certification, partner, public-notice, home, building, and industrial resources remain active.
- Some individual programs have ended, including central-air-conditioner certification and the Verified HVAC Installation program.
So, “ENERGY STAR is being transferred and revised” is accurate. “ENERGY STAR has been abolished” is not supported by the current official information.
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What changed on March 3, 2026?
On March 3, 2026, EPA and DOE put a new Memorandum of Agreement into effect. DOE became the lead federal agency for ENERGY STAR, replacing the program’s historical association with EPA as its primary administrator.
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The agreement says its initial term is 10 years. That does not guarantee that the program will operate unchanged for a decade. The document describes the arrangement as nonbinding, subject to appropriations and available resources, and allows either agency to withdraw with at least 365 days’ notice.
The transfer also does not establish a complete public operating plan for every product category, certification specification, rebate relationship, or building program. Future changes to funding, staffing, specifications, and agency priorities remain possible.
What ENERGY STAR actually is
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary federal labeling and benchmarking program. It is not the same as a mandatory federal appliance-efficiency standard.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe program covers consumer products, residential new construction, commercial buildings, industrial plants, and guidance for improving existing homes. For products, certification generally requires testing by an EPA-recognized laboratory and review by an EPA-recognized certification body. EPA says it oversees more than 20 certification bodies and more than 700 recognized laboratories, together with post-market testing and label audits. See the EPA’s ENERGY STAR overview and the program’s certification requirements.
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- Water Options Available: Our clothes washing machines offer 5 spin cycle options from no spin to extra high, and 5 water temperature choices from cold to extra Hot for laundry loads
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That third-party process is important: a manufacturer’s statement that a product is “energy efficient” is not automatically an ENERGY STAR certification.
What has ended or changed?
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | The ENERGY STAR Verified HVAC Installation program ended. |
| August 20, 2025 | The audio/video product recognition transition ended. |
| February 1, 2026 | The ENERGY STAR specification for central air conditioners was sunset. |
| March 3, 2026 | DOE became the lead agency under the new EPA–DOE agreement. |
These are category- or service-level changes, not proof that the entire program has disappeared. Read the official notices for central-air-conditioner specifications, Verified HVAC Installation, and the audio/video transition.
Products already certified under a sunset category do not necessarily lose recognition immediately in every case. A category may have transition, labeling, or listing deadlines. A product may remain compliant with mandatory efficiency standards even if it no longer qualifies for ENERGY STAR. Rebate administrators may apply separate deadlines.
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What has not ended?
As of August 18, 2026, the official ENERGY STAR systems remain available for:
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- Current product certification and certified-product searches
- Residential new-construction programs
- Commercial-building benchmarking and certification
- Industrial-plant benchmarking and certification
- Partner resources and public notices
Commercial buildings can earn ENERGY STAR certification with a score of 75 or higher on the 1–100 scale, verified by a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. Industrial plants also use a 75-or-higher threshold, with professional verification and an environmental-compliance screen. These programs are distinct from the appliance label and should not be assumed to change in exactly the same way as a product specification.
ENERGY STAR is not the same as appliance standards
DOE announced a July 2, 2026 proposal involving the process for establishing mandatory energy-conservation standards for household appliances and equipment. That proposal concerns legally binding appliance standards; it is not itself a termination of the voluntary ENERGY STAR label. The distinction is explained in DOE’s announcement.
A product can meet mandatory DOE standards without earning ENERGY STAR. Conversely, ENERGY STAR is intended to identify products that meet a higher voluntary performance specification within an active category. The two systems interact, but they are not interchangeable.
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For appliances
- Check whether the category has a current ENERGY STAR specification.
- Search the exact model number in the official ENERGY STAR Product Finder.
- Confirm that the certification and model variant match the item being sold.
- Check the actual utility, state, or local rebate rules separately using the Rebate Finder as a starting point.
- Compare annual energy use, operating cost, capacity, purchase price, warranty, serviceability, and expected maintenance.
A retailer’s ENERGY STAR badge does not automatically guarantee that a product qualifies for a rebate. Eligibility can depend on model number, location, purchase date, installation date, application deadline, income, funding availability, or contractor requirements.
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- Adjustable Humidity Control: Set your desired humidity level anywhere between 30% and 80% to maintain optimal comfort and prevent excess moisture buildup in your living spaces
- Energy Star Certified Efficiency: This Energy Star certified dehumidifier operates efficiently to remove moisture while helping you save on energy costs throughout the year
- Large Coverage Area: Designed to effectively dehumidify large rooms, basements, and spaces, providing comprehensive moisture control for areas up to 5000 square feet
- Continuous Drainage Option: Features a drain hose connection for continuous operation without the need to manually empty the water tank, making it convenient for long-term use in basements and other areas
For air conditioners and HVAC systems
Central-air-conditioner ENERGY STAR specifications were sunset on February 1, 2026, and the Verified HVAC Installation program ended on August 31, 2025. Do not assume that a contractor can still provide the discontinued Verified HVAC Installation credential.
Before signing an HVAC contract, ask for:
- Exact equipment model numbers and efficiency ratings
- A heating and cooling load calculation
- Duct, airflow, and refrigerant-line details
- Permit and inspection information
- Manufacturer warranty and registration requirements
- Utility or state rebate documentation
Installation quality matters. Incorrect sizing, poor airflow, leaking ducts, unsuitable controls, and inadequate commissioning can undermine the performance of efficient equipment.
For heat pumps
ENERGY STAR should not be the only selection criterion. Also compare cold-climate heating capacity, low-temperature performance, backup-heat needs, electrical-panel capacity, noise, defrost behavior, local service availability, electricity and fuel prices, and available incentives.
What this means for builders and construction businesses
Builders should not treat the agency transfer as an immediate end to ENERGY STAR residential construction programs. However, project teams should verify the applicable program version, registration deadlines, inspection and testing requirements, recognized certification organization, and alignment with utility incentives.
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For multifamily projects, determine whether the project is being evaluated under a residential new-construction pathway, a commercial-building program, or another state or utility requirement. These systems are not automatically interchangeable.
Commercial-building owners and operators should distinguish product certification from building certification. A building’s ENERGY STAR score and certification are based on whole-building performance and verification, not simply on installing ENERGY STAR-labeled equipment.
What businesses should monitor
Manufacturers and retailers
- Active specifications and public notices
- New-certification and labeling deadlines
- Changes to product listings
- Third-party testing and certification requirements
- Logo-use and corrective-action policies
ENERGY STAR says improper labeling can result in corrective action, including removal of the mark. Retailers should avoid presenting an old category label as proof of current certification without checking the exact model and current database listing.
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Utilities and states set their own program rules. They may continue using ENERGY STAR criteria, modify them, or impose additional requirements. A federal certification and a local rebate are separate decisions.
What could happen next?
The available official material supports several possibilities, but not a reliable prediction:
- DOE could continue administering a broadly stable ENERGY STAR program.
- The program could retain its brand while narrowing additional product categories.
- Reduced funding or staffing could affect technical reviews, enforcement, or partner services.
- Specifications could be revised as categories and agency priorities change.
- Congress or a later administration could restructure funding, authority, or program responsibilities.
ENERGY STAR was created in 1992 and authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. A full statutory dismantling would raise different questions from an administrative transfer, funding reduction, or category sunset. No verified full statutory termination was identified in the official sources reviewed for this article.
Quick Recap
How to avoid the common mistakes
- Do not confuse a transfer of agency leadership with abolition.
- Do not treat a proposed appliance-standard change as a final rule or as the end of ENERGY STAR.
- Do not assume every product category remains active.
- Do not assume ENERGY STAR certification guarantees a rebate.
- Do not rely on a logo without checking the exact model.
- Do not advertise the former Verified HVAC Installation program as current.
- Do not confuse product certification with building certification.
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