Trump Administration Aims To Kill America’s Trusted Energy-Saving Label For Appliances

The Trump administration plans to end the Energy Star program, which has helped Americans choose efficient appliances for over 30 years. This decision comes as part of larger EPA budget cuts. Consumers may soon lose this familiar blue label that shows which products use less electricity. Critics say this contradicts promises to lower household energy costs. Many wonder how shoppers will compare efficiency ratings without this standardized system that’s saved billions in utility bills.

The Trump administration is preparing to eliminate the Energy Star program, a well-known energy efficiency initiative that has helped Americans save money on their utility bills for over three decades. Reports of the planned shutdown emerged in May 2025 as part of broader closures within the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

Created in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush and reauthorized in 2005 under President George W. Bush, Energy Star operates as a partnership between manufacturers and government agencies. The program is jointly overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, featuring yellow labels on appliances and electronics that inform consumers about expected energy costs during typical use.

Energy Star helps consumers save a collective $40 billion in annual energy costs while operating on a modest budget of $32 million. This represents a 350-to-one return on investment according to the Alliance to Save Energy. The average U.S. household saves approximately $450 on energy bills each year through the program. The program provides valuable financial incentives for consumers who purchase energy-efficient appliances and electronics.

The EPA hasn’t answered questions about when Energy Star certifications would stop. This shutdown represents a significant change to a program that’s existed for over 30 years and has become integrated into consumer shopping decisions across the country.

The program is described as “nearly universally supported” by manufacturers, retailers, and home builders. Consumers have come to rely on and trust the blue label when making purchasing decisions. Paula Glover, president of Alliance to Save Energy, has publicly opposed the shutdown, noting that eliminating the program contradicts the administration’s promise to reduce household energy costs. The move contradicts a growing Eco-Right movement within the Republican Party that supports clean energy initiatives focused on innovation rather than regulations.

This move is part of a larger effort to dismantle government agencies focused on environmental protection. In March 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the rollback of over a dozen Biden-era pollution rules targeting emissions from power plants, vehicles, and the oil and gas industry.

Without Energy Star, consumers would lose standardized energy efficiency information, making it harder to compare products and identify options that reduce long-term energy costs.