Lennox Gets Energy Star Excellence Award for Solar-Ready HVAC Systems

HVAC equipment company Lennox (NYSE: LII) is among 21 organizations given Energy Star Excellence awards by the US Environmental Protection Agency for advancments in energy efficient products.

Lennox introduced a number of major product innovations in 2010, including the SunSource Home Energy System – the industry’s first integrated system to that incorporates solar into home heating and cooling appliances. All of Lennox’s most efficient air conditioners and heat pumps are now manufactured "solar ready."

Other 2011 "Excellence" award winners include Canon, DirectTV, Menards, and Sharp Electronics. In all, the EPA honored 111 Energy Star partners for energy efficiency achievements from a wide variety of sectors: manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate firms and home builders.

Organizations are recognized in one of three award categories: Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year, and Excellence.

The forty-six Sustained Excellence winners have "continued to exhibit leadership year after year in the Energy Star program while remaining dedicated to environmental protection through energy efficiency" the EPA said. 2011 Sustained Excellence award winners include 3M, Bosch Home Appliances, Ford, GE, J.C. Penney, KB Home, Lowe’s, and PepsiCo.

44 organizations received Partner of the Year recognition for strategically and comprehensively managing their energy use. 
These organizations promote Energy Star products and practices in their own operations, and provide efficient products and services to consumers within their community. 2011 Partner of the Year award winners include Boeing, Cleveland Clinic, Colgate-Palmolive, Hanesbrands, HEI Hotels & Resorts, Kohl’s, Panasonic, Sears, and Staples.

Last year alone, Americans, with the help of the Energy Star program and its 20,000 partners, saved approximately $18 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of 33 million vehicles.

To date, nearly 1.2 million new homes and more than 12,600 office buildings, schools, hospitals and public buildings have earned the Energy Star. Since 2000, approximately 3.5 billion Energy Star qualified products have been sold.