Energy Efficient Appliances
Whenever an appliance in your home is ready to be replaced, whether you need a new washing machine, oven or water heater, you can save a lot of energy (and by extension, money) by choosing the most energy efficient appliances possible. And you don't have to sacrifice performance to do it! Here are some tips for getting the most bang for your buck with some common purchases.
Clothes Washers: A front loading washer is the best choice for energy savings.
These washers lack the central agitator found in most top-loaders, wahing clothes more efficiently by tumbling them through a smaller amount of water. They also have a much faster spin cycle, which gets rid of more water more quickly. These features result in a significant savings in both electricity and water.
Refrigerators: If you have a small family, skip the mega fridge. Bigger refrigerators use more energy, so make sure the size of your fridge reflects the actual needs of your family. Look for a model with the freezer on top of the fridge, rather than the side or bottom, for the most energy savings. Also consider whether you really need that ice maker and water dispenser, as those features can eat up an additional 20% more energy.
Ovens: If you're in the market for a new oven, consider a convection oven for the best energy value. Convection ovens circulate hot air around the food as it cooks, heating the food evenly on all sides. This results in food being cooked faster at lower temperatures, saving time and energy and cooking your food more evenly and consistently.
Small Appliances: There are currently no energy standards for small appliances in the US. However, a good rule of thumb to save energy with these items is to unplug any appliances that are not in use, as many of them continue to use energy simply by being plugged in-- up to 20% of all the electricity that they use! That goes for your microwave, toaster and coffee pot as well as your hair dryer and electric toothbrush.
Some General Tips
Learn how to use the Energy Guide label-- the big yellow sticker that you find on most appliances. It lists the average yearly cost of operating a specific appliance versus the average yearly costs of operating that type of appliance in general. So, if the annual operating cost of a particular refrigerator is listed at $100, and all other refrigerators cost $150 dollars to operate, then that refrigerator is much more efficient than most. For more information, as well as a sample label, visit the following website.http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea14.shtm
One of the easiest ways to spot an energy efficient appliance is to look for the Energy Star label, which is a govenment-regulated label given to appliances that meet certain high standards in efficiency. While they don't rate all appliances, you can find their label on many large appliances, as well as water heaters, de-humidifiers, ceiling fans, computers, TVs, and more! Check out their website for more information, as well as many other resources for keeping your home energy costs low.
http://www.energystar.gov/
Clothes Washers: A front loading washer is the best choice for energy savings.
These washers lack the central agitator found in most top-loaders, wahing clothes more efficiently by tumbling them through a smaller amount of water. They also have a much faster spin cycle, which gets rid of more water more quickly. These features result in a significant savings in both electricity and water.
Refrigerators: If you have a small family, skip the mega fridge. Bigger refrigerators use more energy, so make sure the size of your fridge reflects the actual needs of your family. Look for a model with the freezer on top of the fridge, rather than the side or bottom, for the most energy savings. Also consider whether you really need that ice maker and water dispenser, as those features can eat up an additional 20% more energy.
Ovens: If you're in the market for a new oven, consider a convection oven for the best energy value. Convection ovens circulate hot air around the food as it cooks, heating the food evenly on all sides. This results in food being cooked faster at lower temperatures, saving time and energy and cooking your food more evenly and consistently.
Small Appliances: There are currently no energy standards for small appliances in the US. However, a good rule of thumb to save energy with these items is to unplug any appliances that are not in use, as many of them continue to use energy simply by being plugged in-- up to 20% of all the electricity that they use! That goes for your microwave, toaster and coffee pot as well as your hair dryer and electric toothbrush.
Some General Tips
Learn how to use the Energy Guide label-- the big yellow sticker that you find on most appliances. It lists the average yearly cost of operating a specific appliance versus the average yearly costs of operating that type of appliance in general. So, if the annual operating cost of a particular refrigerator is listed at $100, and all other refrigerators cost $150 dollars to operate, then that refrigerator is much more efficient than most. For more information, as well as a sample label, visit the following website.http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea14.shtm
One of the easiest ways to spot an energy efficient appliance is to look for the Energy Star label, which is a govenment-regulated label given to appliances that meet certain high standards in efficiency. While they don't rate all appliances, you can find their label on many large appliances, as well as water heaters, de-humidifiers, ceiling fans, computers, TVs, and more! Check out their website for more information, as well as many other resources for keeping your home energy costs low.
http://www.energystar.gov/