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Podcast: Is Energy Star an Energy Dud?

comments (0) April 17th, 2010 in Blogs

Ed Pirnik, producer

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This air purifier was among the many bogus items to receive the Energy Star stamp of approval in a recent test of the system.

Is the Energy Star program nothing more than an "energy dud?" The Government Accountability Office recently blew the lid off Energy Star's bogus vetting process.

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This week, associate editor Rob Yagid gives us all a good laugh with news on the popular Energy Star program and its complete lack of vetting when it comes to new products hoping to get the coveted blue label. Plus, special issues editor Chuck Miller chimes in with his deck do's and don'ts as we continue the march into the Spring deck season.

Episode 7 - April 16, 2010

Is Energy Star an Energy Scam?

Ever since it's creation in 1992 by the Clinton administration, the Energy Star program has served as a much-vaunted tool for consumers hoping to purchase the most energy efficient appliances. Just think of how many thousands of products have gone through the Energy Star vetting process over the course of the last 18 years! Oh, and did I mention the fact that, well, there actually isn't any vetting process at all? Get the scoop, along with a few laughs, as we explore the smoke and mirrors behind this now-shamed program. And don't forget to catch associate editor Rob Yagid's recent blog post on the story.

Deck Building Do's and Don'ts

Drive through most neighborhoods and housing developments here in the United States and it's easy to see why special issues editor Chuck Miller is consistantly left scratching his head in wonderment over poor deck design. All-too-often, our backyard decks are handled as afterthoughts. Who wants to enjoy a burger and beer on what essentially amounts to a wooden penalty box? Chuck shares his deck design do's and don'ts as we continue our march into the 2010 deck season.