Depot and Sears share Energy Star kudos

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized The Home Depot and Sears with a 2016 Energy Star Partner of the Year -- Sustained Excellence Award -- for its continued leadership in offering the latest innovations in energy-efficient products.

Also recognized in the retail category were Best Buy Co. and Nationwide Marketing Group.

The Home Depot offers more than 17,000 Energy Star products in stores and online. This is the ninth year the company has been recognized by EPA for its achievements.

"We're constantly seeking new and innovative products that are energy efficient, enabling our customers to save in their homes and businesses as we also reduce energy use in our stores," said Ron Jarvis, VP environmental for The Home Depot.

Among other things, Sears Holdings worked to promote bundled energy-efficient laundry pairs and experienced a significant increase in attachment rate. It also worked with Kenmore and GE to continually market the benefits of heat pump electric water heaters.

"Sears Holdings truly values our partnership with Energy Star and is honored to receive the Partner of the Year Award for the seventh consecutive year in Retail and fifth consecutive year in Energy Management," said Kristin Coleman, general counsel and corporate secretary for Sears Holdings. "Our company remains committed to continuing our work to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and protect the environment."

Among products, several familiar home improvement names were honored, including: Andersen Corp.; Big Ass Solutions; Delta Products; Eaton; and Whirlpool Corp.

Whirlpool, which received the Product Brand Owner Award -- its 25th Energy Star honor -- for its “outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient kitchen and laundry appliances,” and for being a leader in educating consumers and training retailers about energy efficiency.

Since its inception in 1992, Energy and its partners have helped prevent a total of more than 2.4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

For the complete list of Energy Star honorees, visit: energystar.gov/about/2016_energy_star_award_winners.