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ENERGY STAR® Program Requirements
for Programmable Thermostats

Partner Commitments

Commitment

The following are the terms of the ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement as it pertains to the
manufacturing of ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats. The ENERGY STAR Partner
must adhere to the following program requirements:

•	comply with current ENERGY STAR Eligibility Criteria, defining the performance criteria that must
be met for use of the ENERGY STAR certification mark on programmable thermostats and
specifying the testing criteria for programmable thermostats. EPA may, at its discretion, conduct
tests on products that are referred to as ENERGY STAR qualified. These products may be
obtained on the open market, or voluntarily supplied by Partner at EPA's request;

•	comply with current ENERGY STAR Identity Guidelines, describing how the ENERGY STAR
marks, name, and educational graphic may be used. Partner is responsible for adhering to these
guidelines and for ensuring that its authorized representatives, such as advertising agencies,
dealers, and distributors, are also in compliance;

•	participate in the new consumer education campaign which may include, but is not limited to, any
of the following tactics:

¦	For retail-based Manufacturers

¦	Providing educational content (e.g., consumer brochure, takeaways, etc.) in-store

¦	Developing in-store educational materials/campaigns with utility(ies) and
retailer(s) by offering a special deal/coupon, co-op materials such as brochures
and/or POP, training for store employees, or other promotional/educational
activities

¦	Using the ENERGY STAR education graphic in product literature (i.e., user
manuals, spec sheets, marketing materials, etc.) and on the manufacturer's
Internet site

¦	Consistently using approved messaging on product packaging/literature, Web
site, trade articles, training for retail employees, and other channels

¦	For Distribution/Dealer-based Manufacturers

¦	Providing educational content to distributor/dealers for use with their customers

¦	Providing brochures, signage, etc. to distributor/dealers for their store, as
appropriate

¦	Providing messaging to the distributor/dealer to use in their advertising and
promotions

¦	Running special promotions with dealers/distributors - manufacturer rebates, etc

¦	Using the ENERGY STAR education graphic in product literature (i.e., user
manuals, spec sheets, marketing materials, etc.) and on the manufacturer's
Internet site

¦	Consistently using approved messaging on product packaging/literature, Web
site, trade articles, trade shows, training for distributors/dealers, and other
channels

•	qualify at least one ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat model within one year of activating
the programmable thermostats portion of the agreement. When Partner qualifies the product, it
must meet the specification (e.g., Tier 1 or 2) in effect at that time;

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•	provide clear and consistent labeling of ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat. The
ENERGY STAR mark must be clearly displayed on the top/front of the product, in product
literature (i.e., user manuals, spec sheets, etc.), on product packaging, and on the manufacturer's
Internet site where information about ENERGY STAR qualified models is displayed;

•	provide to EPA, on an annual basis, an updated list of ENERGY STAR qualifying programmable
thermostat models. Once the Partner submits its first list of ENERGY STAR qualified
programmable thermostat models, the Partner will be listed as an ENERGY STAR Partner.
Partner must provide annual updates in order to remain on the list of participating product
manufacturers;

•	provide to EPA, on an annual basis, unit shipment data or other market indicators to assist in
determining the market penetration of ENERGY STAR. Specifically, Partner must submit the total
number of ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats shipped (in units by model) or an
equivalent measurement as agreed to in advance by EPA and Partner. Partner is also
encouraged to provide ENERGY STAR qualified unit shipment data segmented by meaningful
product characteristics (e.g., capacity, size, speed, or other as relevant), total unit shipments for
each model in its product line, and percent of total unit shipments that qualify as ENERGY STAR.
The data for each calendar year should be submitted to EPA, preferably in electronic format, no
later than the following March and may be provided directly from the Partner or through a third
party. The data will be used by EPA only for program evaluation purposes and will be closely
controlled. Any information used will be masked by EPA so as to protect the confidentiality of the
Partner;

•	notify EPA of a change in the designated responsible party or contacts for programmable
thermostats within 30 days.

Performance for Special Distinction

In order to receive additional recognition and/or support from EPA for its efforts within the

Partnership, the ENERGY STAR Partner may consider the following voluntary measures and should keep

EPA informed on the progress of these efforts:

•	consider energy efficiency improvements in company facilities and pursue the ENERGY STAR
mark for buildings;

•	purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products. Revise the company purchasing or procurement
specifications to include ENERGY STAR. Provide procurement officials' contact information to
EPA for periodic updates and coordination. Circulate general ENERGY STAR qualified product
information to employees for use when purchasing products for their homes;

•	ensure the power management feature is enabled on all ENERGY STAR qualified monitors in use
in company facilities, particularly upon installation and after service is performed;

•	provide general information about the ENERGY STAR program to employees whose jobs are
relevant to the development, marketing, sales, and service of current ENERGY STAR qualified
product models;

•	feature the ENERGY STAR mark(s) on Partner Web site and in other promotional materials. If
information concerning ENERGY STAR is provided on the Partner Web site as specified by the
ENERGY STAR Web Linking Policy (this document can be found in the Partner Resources
section on the ENERGY STAR Web site at www.enerqvstar.gov). EPA may provide links where
appropriate to the Partner Web site;

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•	provide a simple plan to EPA outlining specific measures Partner plans to undertake beyond the
program requirements listed above. By doing so, EPA may be able to coordinate, communicate,
and/or promote Partner's activities, provide an EPA representative, or include news about the
event in the ENERGY STAR newsletter, on the ENERGY STAR Web pages, etc. The plan may
be as simple as providing a list of planned activities or planned milestones that Partner would like
EPA to be aware of. For example, activities may include: (1) increase the availability of ENERGY
STAR qualified products by converting the entire product line within two years to meet ENERGY
STAR guidelines; (2) demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency
through special in-store displays twice a year; (3) provide information to users (via the Web site
and user's manual) about energy-saving features and operating characteristics of ENERGY STAR
qualified products, and (4) build awareness of the ENERGY STAR Partnership and brand identity
by collaborating with EPA on one print advertorial and one live press event;

•	provide quarterly, written updates to EPA as to the efforts undertaken by Partner to increase
availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products, and to promote awareness of ENERGY STAR
and its message.

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ENERGY STAR® Program Requirements
for Programmable Thermostats

Eligibility Criteria (Version 1.2)

WM

Below is the product specification (Version 1.2) for ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats.
A product must meet all of the identified criteria if it is to be labeled as ENERGY STAR by its
manufacturer.

1) Definitions: Below is a brief description of a programmable thermostat and its common operational
modes as relevant to ENERGY STAR.

A.	Programmable Thermostat: A device that enables the user to set one or more time periods each
day when a comfort setpoint temperature is maintained and one or more time periods each day when
an energy-saving setpoint temperature is maintained. This device enables the user to save energy
because the heating and cooling equipment is not running needlessly at a comfort temperature
setpoint 24 hours per day. A programmable thermostat may be capable of controlling one or more
zones of a conditioned space.

B.	Setpoint Temperature: The temperature setting in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celsius for any
given time period.

C.	Comfort Setpoint Temperature: The temperature setting in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees
Celsius for the time period during which the building is expected to be occupied, e.g., the early
morning and evening hours.

D.	Comfort Time: The time period during which the conditioned space is expected to be occupied,
e.g., the early morning and evening hours.

E.	Energy-Saving Setpoint Temperature: The setpoint temperature for the energy-saving periods,
usually specified for both the heating and cooling seasons.

1.	Set-Back Temperature: The setpoint temperature for the energy-saving periods during the
heating season, generally at night and during unoccupied hours. This is a lower setpoint
temperature than the comfort setpoint temperature.

2.	Set-Up Temperature: The setpoint temperature for the energy-saving periods during the
cooling season, generally at night and during unoccupied hours. This is a higher setpoint
temperature than the comfort setpoint temperature.

F.	Cycle Rate: The number of times the heating or cooling unit goes on and off in a given hour. This
is measured when the heating and air-conditioning equipment is operating at a 50% load condition, as
measured under the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) DC-3 standard titled
"Residential Controls- Electrical Wall-Mounted Room Thermostats".1

G.	Recovery Systems:

1.	Conventional Recovery: A feature of a programmable thermostat that activates the heating or
cooling system at the comfort time set by the user.

2.	Heat Pump Recovery: A feature of a programmable thermostat that allows the heat pump to
recover gradually from an energy-saving setpoint temperature to a comfort setpoint

1 National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1847, Rosslyn, VA 22209
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temperature. The heat pump recovery feature is designed to minimize the use of auxiliary heat
while also minimizing the on-time of the system.

3. Pre-Comfort Recovery: A feature of a programmable thermostat that allows the heating/cooling
system to recover gradually from an energy-saving setpoint temperature to a comfort setpoint
temperature. This feature provides comfort while minimizing the on-time of the system during
the recovery period. If the pre-comfort recovery system is capable of minimizing the use of
auxiliary heat, then it is identical to a heat pump recovery system.

H. Hold Feature: This feature enables the user to override the programmable thermostat's program
for a period of time, either specified or unlimited. A short-term hold may allow the user to skip to the
next part of the program, and/or temporarily set the programmable thermostat to a different
temperature until the next part of the program begins. A long-term hold may allow the user to set the
programmable thermostat at a temperature for a fixed period of time, usually during a vacation.

2) Qualifying Products: For the purposes of ENERGY STAR, programmable thermostats shall have at
least two different programming periods (for weekday and weekend programming) and at least four
possible temperature settings (i.e., wake, day, evening, and sleep settings). Programmable
thermostat settings shall be pre-programmed so the day and sleep time periods are at least 8 hours
long.

3) Energy-Efficiency Specifications for Qualifying Products: Only those products listed in Section 2 that

meet the criteria below (see items A through G) may qualify as ENERGY STAR.

A.	Programmable thermostat shall be capable of maintaining room temperature swings within ± 2°F of
the setpoint temperature.

B.	Programmable thermostat shall be capable of cycling the heating/cooling equipment at the cycle
rates required by all ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment. The cycle rate and
heating/cooling anticipator setting shall be easy for installer to adjust and must remain at their
installed setting even if there is an external power outage or battery failure that causes the
programmable thermostat to be de-programmed.

C.	All programmable thermostat models shall be equipped with a conventional recovery system.
Programmable thermostat models marketed and sold for use with heat pump systems shall be
equipped with a heat pump recovery system. Programmable thermostat models marketed and sold
for use with non-heat pump systems shall be equipped with a pre-comfort recovery system.
Definitions of these recovery systems are provided in Section 1, above.

D.	Programmable thermostat shall have a hold feature that allows the user to temporarily override
the program for an unspecified period (such as a vacation), without deleting the program. It is
recommended that the programmable thermostat have more than one way to override the
program. For instance a long term hold (vacation) and short term hold (override to the next
setpoint) is recommended.

E.	Partner shall ship programmable thermostats with setpoint temperatures and times as specified in
Table 1 below. For a specific example of acceptable setpoint time and temperature settings, see
Table 2 below.

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Table 1: Programmable Thermostat Setpoint Temperatures

Setting

Setpoint Temperature (Heat)

Setpoint Temperature (Cool)

Wake

<70°F

>78°F

Day

setback at least 8°F

setup at least 7°F

Evening

<70°F

>78°F

Sleep

setback at least 8°F

setup at least 4°F

Table 2: Acceptable Setpoint Times and Temperature Settings

Setting

Time

Setpoint Temperature
(Heat)

Setpoint Temperature
(Cool)

Wake

6 a.m.

70°F

78°F

Day

8 a.m.

62°F

85°F

Evening

6 p.m.

70°F

78°F

Sleep

10 p.m.

62°F

82°F

F.	Partner shall provide clear instructions and packaging regarding whether the programmable
thermostat is intended for use with a heat pump or conventional system, instructions for the
installer to adjust the cycle rates, and instructions for the user to adjust the times and temperatures
for the setpoint temperatures.

G.	In addition to the above criteria, Partner shall ensure that the customer may be able to change the
settings on the programmable thermostat with little difficulty. The ease with which the customer
can change the setback times and temperatures is of primary importance. Therefore, the
programmable thermostat must include easy to follow instructions, and clearly defined settings on
the programmable thermostat. In order to achieve this, Partner shall consider focus groups to
analyze the ease of programming of the programmable thermostat, and other methods of
determining the ease of use of the programmable thermostat.

4)	Test Criteria: Manufacturers are required to perform tests and self-certify those product models that
meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines.

5)	Effective Date: The date that manufacturers may begin to qualify products as ENERGY STAR will be
defined as the effective date of the agreement. The ENERGY STAR Programmable Thermostat
specification is effective immediately. ENERGY STAR performance requirements will be suspended
effective 12/31/09. In the event that revised performance specifications for Programmable
Thermostats are developed in the interim, the suspension will be superceded by the effective date of
the new performance specifications.

6)	Future Specification Revisions: ENERGY STAR reserves the right to change the specification should
technological and/or market changes affect its usefulness to consumers, industry, or the environment.
In keeping with current policy, revisions to the specification are arrived at through industry
discussions.

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