How We Rate

Eco-rate is a product rating website for consumer durable goods (automobiles, major appliances, electronics, etc.) that rates the ecologic and economic costs related to product purchase and use. Our rating platform applies the scientific principles of ecological economics to produce statistically valid ratings aimed to promote responsible purchasing decisions.

Traditional cradle-to-grave lifecycle assessments attempt to identify a product’s scientifically measured impact on the environment, however many unreliable assumptions hold value in these calculations. This is where Eco-rate differs. By removing common assumptions and focusing analysis on obtainable empirical data, our ratings provide a platform for impact analysis that is relative, not absolute. In effect, our ratings enable consumers to make best value purchasing decisions by comparative means and according to their priorities, be it environmental, economic or a combination of the two.

Each product assessment is normalized on a 0-100 scale, with 100 being the top mark. The highest-rated product within a respective product category is the comparative reference point for all other product scores. For example: the most efficient washer earns a consumption rating of 100; if another washer’s consumption rating is 70, then it is 30% less energy efficient than the most efficient washer. However, that same washer that earns a rating of 100 on consumption may only earn a rating of 50 on price; therefore, we calculate the Average Eco-rating for each product to identify the product's balance between ecologic and economic considerations. The product that has the highest Average Eco-rating is the best value - both environmentally responsible and financially favorable.

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