BOSTON -- For nearly 20 years, energy efficient appliances have earned the Energy Star label, helping consumers sort out which devices are the most efficient, but many feel the voluntary designation needs to be revamped.

NewsCenter 5’s David Brown reported that some industry experts say the information on Energy Star labels can be misleading. Alex Cheimets, a specialist who has worked in the energy industry for 10 years, believes that the labeling system does not provide information specific enough to be helpful to the consumer.

“There is a whole lot more information that a consumer would need to understand that a particular appliance is the most efficient or the correct appliance for what your needs are,” Cheimets said.

He cited the fact that energy costs vary across the country as one source of inaccuracy on the labels. Energy is much more expensive in the Northeast, and the spending approximations on Energy Star labels may not reflect the actual cost of running an appliance for residents in Massachusetts. A refrigerator boasting a yearly operating cost of $57 on its Energy Star label, for example, may really cost $100 per year in the Northeast.

Different styles of refrigerators are also rated differently, and Cheimets said the confusing rating system needs to be clarified for consumers.

“[Consumers] are going to be surprised when the bill shows up and the yellow card is far off base,” said Cheimets. “In some cases, half the power usage is on the yellow card than what actually shows up on the bill.”

Steve Sheinkopf, of Yale Electric, also thinks that when it comes to refrigerators, the ratings need an overhaul.

“I don't have a problem with a national organization publishing national rates,” said Sheinkopf. “It’s just locally, we pay a lot more. There definitely should be more transparency as far as what is the total cost of using a refrigerator when you actually use a refrigerator.”

The biggest complaint from the two experts is loopholes in the standards companies use for their energy testing. For example, manufacturers aren’t required to turn on energy-costly features, like the water dispenser or the ice maker, when they’re testing refrigerators. As a result, consumers may be surprised at how much energy their appliances will actually cost to operate.

Energy Secretary Ian Bowels said that he agrees the Energy Star system has become outdated, and said that he would like to see the government take a bigger stake in regulating energy efficiency standards.

“I think Energy Star overall is a good thing,” said Bowles.

Cheimets said that he agrees federal oversight would be a positive first step to reforming the Energy Star designation. He said stricter regulations would push the appliance industry toward the goal of making more efficient products.

“Energy efficiency and energy independence is now a national goal, and we should regulate appliances as if energy independence is a national goal,” he said.