WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- New Energy Star-approved commercial griddles and ovens are an estimated 10 to 20 percent more efficient than standard models, U.S. officials said Friday.
If all commercial griddles and ovens sold in the United States met Energy Star specifications, the cost savings in energy would be more than $700 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those released from more than 660,000 vehicles, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
To earn Energy Star approval, griddles and ovens must meet minimum cooking efficiency and maximum idle energy rates. Cooking efficiency represents the amount of energy used by the food product compared to the total energy used by the griddle or oven during cooking. Idle energy represents the energy used by the griddle or oven while it is maintaining or holding at a steady temperature.
Energy Star is a standard for energy-efficient consumer products. The program was created by the U.S. government in 1992 and since has been adopted by numerous countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
