We spend about $1,900 on energy costs every year according to EnergyStar.gov. If all appliances in a home are replaced with EnergyStar certified ones, we could save ourselves up to $80--by conserving energy and helping to save the environment.
The EnergyStar label is only applied to a product if it meets a rigid set of requirements for appliances, home office equipment, and other household items. They must be created with the idea in mind to conserve energy and use as little as possible. Not only that, but EnergyStar products use 10-50% less energy and water than their standard counterparts.
By paying attention to the price tag at the present and the future of the appliance, consumers can easily determine which save them more money. And who doesn’t want that?
You should always look out for EnergyStar qualified products. They are the most efficient of their class. In addition to the EnergyStar label, check the federal EnergyGuide label on many major appliances. It’ll tell you how much it will cost to run the appliance over one year and the energy-efficiency rating of the product.
We’re going to show you some vital shopping tips for when you decide to replace that old clothes washer or dryer, oven, dishwasher, or refrigerator to help save you money and the environment its resources.
Clothes Washers & Dryers
- As with all appliances, look for the EnergyStar label. It’s the best choice you can make to eliminate a lot of models that won’t save you as much. Dryers, however, do not have an EnergyStar label. This is due to the fact that all of them use about the same amount of energy.
- Most households have ‘toploader’ or vertical-axis machines. These can waste water and leave clothes relatively wet which requires more drying time. Horizontal-axis machines combat this and use less water comparatively. If you’d like to save even more energy, consider not using a dryer altogether and hanging your clothes to dry on
a clothesline. - If you can’t afford a horizontal-axis machine, which are typically more expensive (and meet tougher standards), than wash your clothes in cold water. There are even detergents such as Tide Cold Water which can help you save energy and hundreds of dollars on your utility bills.
- The ideal dryer to invest in is one that has moisture sensors. ConsumerReports says, “The motion sensor will add $30 to $50 to the price of the dryer, but the increased efficiency it brings will eventually pay for the extra cost.”
- The machine will turn off when your clothes are dry, saving energy and your clothes from over-drying. If you’d like to save even more energy, ConsumerReports advises that you “clean the lint tray after every load.” This reduces the risk of a fire and makes the dryer more efficient.
Ovens
- Electric ovens generally cost more to run than gas ranges and ovens since they require more energy to cook.
- Self-cleaning ovens are one of the best type of energy-efficient ovens. They have more insulation which keeps the heat inside longer. Using the self-cleaning feature more than once a month, though, can waste more energy than you save.
- There are a few new burner types available for electric cook tops. The Halogen and induction types can be 60% more efficient than the solid disk and radiant types. While they are more expensive, they use less energy and don’t take as long to heat up. Keep in mind, however, that only iron and steel cooking-ware can be used on induction tops.
Dishwashers
Features such as “energy-saving” and “short-wash” cycles should be sought after. More energy-efficient cycles will save you energy and water.- Pick a dishwasher that allows you the choice between heat-drying and air-drying. Air-drying uses considerably less energy than heat-drying.
- There are dishwashers labeled compact capacity and standard capacity. The compact dishwasher holds less dishes, resulting in more frequent (energy) use.
Refrigerators
- Look for the EnergyGuide label to see how much energy each refrigerator will use. You can then compare them to find the one that uses the least over one year. If you’re stuck between two very similar refrigerators, this is a great way to eliminate some possibilities.
- Models with the freezer on the side are about 25% less efficient than those with the freezer either on the top or bottom.
- “Did you know that your refrigerator and freezer run more efficiently when they are full?” says Claudia Chandler, Assistant Executive Director of the California Energy Commission. Maximizing the space in a refrigerator or freezer will help you make the most out of your buck.
- Having an icemaker and water dispenser in the door may be convenient, but it’ll cost you a 10-20% increase in the energy usage of your refrigerator.
- Choose the right size refrigerator for your household. Large ones will use a lot of energy and space while smaller ones, even though they use less energy, will fit less groceries and require more trips to the grocery store.
- Consider a refrigerator without an icemaker. They add to the energy usage in your electric bill, and can require frequent repairs. Instead, purchase one or two plastic ice cube racks and keep them filled with water and in the freezer. They can also make for some fun ice popsicle snacks!
- Use EnergyStar's Refrigerator Retirement Savings calculator to see how much your refrigerator is costing you and how much you'd save with an EnergyStar certified one.
How to read the EnergyGuide Label
- Estimated energy consumption on a scale showing a range for similar models
- Estimated yearly operating cost based on the national average cost of electricity.
One of the most important things to remember when looking for a greener appliance is how much it will cost you in the long run. Claudia believes consumers should, “check for the EnergyStar label and purchase an appliance that has low energy costs as compared to others in a similar size with similar features.” You might be surprised how different these ‘similar’ appliances are.
If you have an ancient freezer in the garage, though, and are thinking about upgrading it to a newer more energy-efficient one, think again. “I would recommend that a consumer get rid of it altogether!” she explains. It’s not worth the cost to run it; instead, try consolidating the groceries into one refrigerator.
If you have an older appliance hanging around still, consider the price tag you are currently paying for it month-to-month. Is it worth it? Would it cost less to buy a more energy-efficient model? These are some questions that should be answered and will help in determining what you and your family should do. Old appliances can also be recycled instead of being purely thrown out. Certain recycling centers will pick up the appliance for free, or even pay you for it. To check if your area has an appliance recycling program nearby, call 1 (800) YES ICAN.
[via energystar.gov, greenerchoices.org, consumerenergyreports.org, motherearthnews.com, eere.energy.gov, and Claudia Chandler from the California Energy Commission, whom made this article possible! :-)]
