The US ENERGY STAR specification for indoor air cleaners has been upgraded from V2.0 to V3.0. The main purpose of the update is to align with the mandatory energy efficiency standards that the US Department of Energy (DOE) has applied since January 2024. By publishing V3.0 on 6 January 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ensures consistency between ENERGY STAR and DOE on test methods and definitions.

Key dates

To ensure a smooth transition, the EPA set a clear timetable.

6 January 2025: V3.0 published, and manufacturers may begin certifying products to the new version.

23 May 2025: deadline after which certification bodies no longer accept new product applications based on V2.0.

9 October 2025: mandatory effective date. All air cleaners seeking the ENERGY STAR label must meet V3.0, and all products certified only to V2.0 are removed from the ENERGY STAR website.

Comparison of the core requirements

V3.0 brings major changes to test standards, efficiency metrics and claimed value requirements.

Item	V2.0 (old)	V3.0 (new)
Test standard	ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2020	Appendix FF to Subpart B of Part 430 (with reference to ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2020 and AHAM AC-7-2022)
Efficiency metric	Energy Factor = smoke CADR / power (W)	Integrated Energy Factor (IEF) = PM2.5 CADR / power (W)
Efficiency limit
Standby power	Required (no more than 1 W without Wi-Fi; no more than 2 W with Wi-Fi)	Not required (withdrawn)
Claimed value	Claimed CADR not higher than measured value	Claimed CADR must equal the average of measured values