How We Rate
Our independent, unbiased product and technology ratings focus on three factors: human health, environmental protection and financial feasibility. The ratings aim to help you make informed purchasing decisions based on the criteria that mean most to you, your family and our world.
Traditional cradle-to-grave lifecycle assessments attempt to identify a product’s scientifically measured impact on the environment and human health. However, many unreliable assumptions hold value in these calculations. Such assumptions are difficult to avoid, as one would have to literally walk in the shoes of a product to identify its true impact.
Moreover, assessments of whether a product is "green" or not often fail to consider if the product is cost-effective to own - a key element to the wide scale adoption of sustainable products.
This is where Eco-rate differs. By removing assumptions and focusing analysis on obtainable, empirical data (both environmental and economic), our ratings provide a platform for impact analysis that is relative, not absolute. Each rating is formulated as a percentage of the score of the highest-rated product or technology featured within a respective Eco-rate category.
For example: the best product on Eco-rate earns a consumption rating of 100; if another product’s consumption rating is 70, then it consumes 30% more energy than the top-rated product. However, that same product which 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 environmental and economic considerations. The product that has the highest Average Eco-rating is both environmentally responsible and cost-effective.
Products versus technologies
Eco-rate features product and technology ratings. Our technology ratings compare different technologies with one another while our product ratings compare actual products with one another.
For example, in the Heating & Cooling technology category, we rate a closed loop geothermal heat pumps system and a natural gas/air conditioning unit system (amongst others) to allow you to compare the two and determine which technology is more energy-efficient and cost-effective.
We've done the research for you so it is easy for you to compare and evaluate different products and technologies.
Rating formulas
► Click here to view our directory of product rating descriptions.
► Click here to view our directory of technology rating descriptions.
Click on the rating icons below to learn more about each rating
Questions? Feedback?
Eco-rate is an evolving project that relies on community feedback for its continued success. Share your thoughts with us by visiting the Eco-rate Forum.
