---
title: Why ENERGY STAR is a model for EE Program and Product Marketing
description: Why ENERGY STAR is a model for EE Program and Product Marketing
image: https://blogs.ksvc.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/img2-7.png
---

[![KSV](https://www.ksvagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/logo-charcoal-640.png "KSV")](https://www.ksvagency.com)

![☰](https://www.ksvagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/icon-hamburger-charcoal-70-50.png "☰")

- [Focus](http://www.ksvc.com/focus/)
- [Capabilities](http://www.ksvc.com/capabilities/)
- [Work](http://www.ksvc.com/work/)
- [People](http://www.ksvc.com/people/)
- [Culture](http://www.ksvc.com/culture/)
- [EnergyWire](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire)

# Why ENERGY STAR is a model for EE Program and Product Marketing

Posted by [Energy Wire](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/author/valentineerb) on October 16, 2014 at 4:36 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![](https://blogs.ksvc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/img2-7.png?width=234&height=241&name=img2-7.png)

ENERGY STAR addresses consumer demands. Do you? The brand was established in 1992 to make it easy for consumers to identify energy efficient products, and to help reduce pollutants.

Talk about success… Today, we know ENERGY STAR as the standard consumers expect. The absence of the label is likely to be more powerful than its actual presence. The brand not only gained the trust of consumers nationwide, but also created extreme behavior change over time. 

How can they not serve as a model to other energy solutions companies? (Yes, you.)

What we admire most: The brand addresses consumer demands.

The certification criteria actually respond to some of consumers’ top barriers when it comes to EE program participation or purchases. Among others, certified products must meet these requirements:

-  “… Offer **savings on energy bills** without sacrificing **performance, features, and comfort**.”
-  “… Deliver the **features and performance demanded by consumers**, in addition to increased energy efficiency.”
-  “If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through **utility bill savings, within a reasonable period of time**.”
- “**Reduce greenhouse gas emissions** and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy.”

We look at these requirements as the ENERGY STAR “guarantee.” Through proprietary research on the EE customer, we understand the importance of providing a guarantee, and how it helps your customer trust you, your message and your product or program.

(92% of research participants stated the lack of an energy and cost reduction guarantee as one of their top three barriers to EE program participation. See: [Your Customers Don't Trust Your EE Financial Messaging](http://www.ksvc.com/blog/2014/10/16/your-customers-dont-trust-your-ee-financial-messaging))

The little blue label is a strong example of what a brand promise should be when inspiring the EE customer to act.  The ENERGY STAR “guarantee” is centered around what your customer wants, and that’s more than just lowering their energy bill. Customers want a combination of:

- High performance, features and technology
- Financial savings and ROI
- Non-financial benefits like comfort, reliability and safety
- Lowering their environmental footprint

For an industry largely measured by J.D Power Scores and customer satisfaction, why is there not a more balanced message when it comes to energy efficiency marketing?

Are you responsive to consumer demands? Are customers satisfied with your current “promises” and messaging? Or are you focused on only one “promise” and expecting customers to take action?

Get in touch if you want to discuss, or if you're interested in the full research report mentioned above.

Lauren Bell / [lbell@ksvc.com](http://lbell@ksvc.com) / 802.862.8261

### [EnergyWire](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire)

EnergyWire is KSV’s weekly insight into the consumer mindset when it comes to energy. It’s an honest conversation on the reality of their perceptions and motivations, and how energy services companies can use this insight to successfully engage customers.

### Sign Up

### Recent Posts

### Topics

- [Customer-Centric Marketing (215)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/customer-centric-marketing)
- [Utility Communications (183)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/utility-communications)
- [Marketing Strategy and Best Practices (158)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/marketing-strategy-and-best-practices)
- [Innovation (156)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/innovation)
- [Digital Transformation and User Experience (100)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/digital-transformation-and-user-experience)
- [Audience Segmentation (88)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/audience-segmentation)
- [Data and Analytics (83)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/data-and-analytics)
- [Energy Efficiency (76)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/energy-efficiency)
- [Clean Energy (61)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/clean-energy)
- [Branding and Brand Value (58)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/branding-and-brand-value)
- [Research (49)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/research)
- [Climate Change (48)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/climate-change)
- [Inspiration (47)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/inspiration)
- [Sustainability Marketing (47)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/sustainability-marketing)
- [B Corporation (38)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/b-corporation)
- [Content Marketing (37)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/content-marketing)
- [Climate and Social Justice (35)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/climate-and-social-justice)
- [Creative (34)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/creative)
- [In the News (31)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/in-the-news)
- [Smart Technology (24)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/smart-technology)
- [Social Media Strategy and Best Practices (23)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/social-media-strategy-and-best-practices)
- [Company Culture (19)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/company-culture)
- [Media Strategy and Best Practices (19)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/media-strategy-and-best-practices)
- [Industry Expert Interviews (13)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/industry-expert-interviews)
- [Sustainable Brands (13)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/sustainable-brands)
- [B2B marketing (12)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/b2b-marketing)
- [Electrification (12)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/electrification)
- [Creative Showcase (10)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/creative-showcase)
- [Energy Storage (9)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/energy-storage)
- [AI (7)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/ai)
- [D2C (7)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/d2c)
- [Artificial Intelligence (6)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/artificial-intelligence)
- [Vermont (6)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/vermont)
- [Branding (5)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/branding)
- [Case Study (5)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/case-study)
- [Brand Activations (3)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/brand-activations)
- [SEO (2)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/seo)
- [Search (2)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/search)
- [Augmented Reality (1)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/augmented-reality)
- [Digital Video (1)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/digital-video)
- [OOH (1)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/ooh)
- [Paid Search (1)](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/topic/paid-search)

...

##### Get in touch.

###### Vermont

212 Battery Street  
Suite 2  
Burlington, VT 05401  
[802.862.8261](tel:8028628261)

###### New York

27 E 28th Street  
Suite 15055  
New York, NY 10016  
[212.366.4000](tel:2123664000)

## Sign up for KSV insights

## Thanks for subscribing!

Email

Subscribe

© 2025 KSV

[![LinkedIn](https://www.ksvagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/icon-linkedin-cream-80.png "LinkedIn")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kelliher-samets-volk/)

[![Twitter](https://www.ksvagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/icon-twitter-cream-80.png "Twitter")](https://twitter.com/KSVTweets)

[![Twitter](https://www.ksvagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/icon-facebook-cream-80.png "icon-facebook-cream-80")](https://www.facebook.com/ksv.agency)

[![Instagram](https://www.ksvagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/icon-instagram-cream-80.png "Instagram")](https://www.instagram.com/ksv.agency/)

[Privacy Policy & Cookies](https://www.ksvagency.com/privacy-policy/)

[![KSV](https://www.ksvagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/logo-cream-640.png "KSV")](https://www.ksvagency.com)

![X](https://www.ksvagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/icon-x-cream-70-50.png "X")

What We Do

[Work](https://www.ksvagency.com/work/)

[Blog](https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire)

Who We Are

[About](https://www.ksvagency.com/about/)

[Careers](https://www.ksvagency.com/careers/)

[Contact](https://www.ksvagency.com/contact/)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Energy Wire",
    "url" : "https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/author/valentineerb"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2014-10-16T20:36:40.000Z",
  "headline" : "Why ENERGY STAR is a model for EE Program and Product Marketing",
  "image" : [ "https://blogs.ksvc.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/img2-7.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blogs.ksvc.com/energy-wire/2014/10/16/20141016why-energy-star-is-a-model-for-ee-program-and-product-marketing",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blogs.ksvc.com/hubfs/Logo_darkblue-1.png"
    },
    "name" : "KSVC"
  }
}
```