The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new Energy Star requirements for commercial refrigerators and freezers, which, on average, will be 33 percent more energy efficient than standard models. The Energy Star program reports that if all commercial refrigerators and freezers sold in the United States meet the new Energy Star specification, the energy savings would grow to $275 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those outputted from nearly 400,000 vehicles.

The new federal standards take effect January 1, 2010. This revised specification will provide consumers with a choice to continue to go beyond the federal standards with Energy Star, delivering energy efficient products with the performance they expect.

More information on Energy Star qualified commercial kitchen products: www.energystar.gov/cfs.