While scanning Black Friday ads for a new TV or laptop computer, you should be searching for more than just the best, bottom-line price. Also keep an eye out for the ENERGY STAR® label.

With an ENERGY STAR-certified product, you can give the gift of energy savings along with a great present.

ENERGY STAR is a federal program that helps individuals and businesses improve energy efficiency and save money. Certified products range from tablets and Blu-ray disc players to refrigerators and dishwashers.

Certified appliances use 9-25 percent less power than regular products.

“The holidays are a great time to buy ENERGY STAR products,” said Edith Garcia, Program Manager of Residential Energy Efficiency Programs and Services. “It’s going to cost you less in the long run to invest in a certified product. Also, the item could last longer because it operates more efficiently.”

Consider these statistics from the ENERGY STAR website:

• Certified televisions are 27 percent more energy efficient on average than regular models.
• An entertainment center equipped with an ENERGY STAR-certified TV, cable box, Blu-Ray player and soundbar could save you up to $140 in total energy costs compared to less efficient alternatives.
• If all computers sold in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR certified, the energy savings would exceed more than $1 billion annually.

While shopping, you can find specifics about estimated savings by reading the yellow Energy Guide labels, which outline estimated operating costs and electric usage.

TEP has partnerships with Sears and Best Buy stores to educate their employees about the advantages of ENERGY STAR appliances – information they pass along to shoppers.

In addition to these education efforts, we also partner with stores to offer discounted prices on energy efficient lightbulbs through the ENERGY STAR Lighting Program.

Find out more about our energy efficiency programs on tep.com.