EnergyStar Appliances: Clean and Green

Being environmentally conscientious helps preserve our precious earth and can also save you money! Look at the appliances being used in your home on a regular basis. Are any of these appliances 10, 15, or even 20 years old? If so, you can bet your bottom dollar you're spending more on monthly utility costs than you have to.

In recent studies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average family household is spending nearly $2,000 per year in utility costs and kitchen appliances are at fault for almost half of these expenses.

The EPA, along with the US Dept of Energy (DOE), has created a classification system called Energy Star. This system is designed to pinpoint domestic appliances that are more energy efficient, boost air quality and decrease utility bills. Although appliances equipped with the Energy Star label (EnergyGuide) can potentially cost up to 40% more than standard models, they can save up to half of the daily energy you use. So not only are you saving money in the long run, you're helping to protect our environment for a better tomorrow and future generations.

Understanding Your EnergyGuide Label:

To help you better compare Energy Star appliances and make sure you're getting the most efficient product, all Energy Star appliances are required to have an EnergyGuide label. This label shows you the model number and features allowing you to compare things like size and capacity, but most importantly, it estimates on average how much energy this model will use per year. It gives you a range to show you the least and most amount of energy used per year, and it also gives you an estimate of how much this model will cost per year.

Energy Star Models Standard Features:

Energy Star Clothes Washer:

• Uses 50% less water.
• Extracts more water from clothing in the spin cycle to help reduce drying time.
• Reduces wear and tear on clothing.
• Uses up to 40% less electricity.
• Up to $110 in savings each year.

Energy Star Refrigerators:

• Consumes at least 40% less than standard models.
• Up to $150 in savings every year.

Energy Star Dehumidifier:

• Uses between 10 - 20% less power.
• Around $30 in savings each year.

Energy Star Dishwasher:

• Uses half the water of regular models.
• Use over 40% less energy.
• Save $90 over the dishwasher's lifetime.

Household Air Conditioner:

• Uses 10% less energy than standard models.
• Save around $250 over the air conditioner's lifetime.

Save On Your Monthly Bill With These Energy Saving Tips:

• If an Energy Star appliance is not in your immediate future you can still save money right now with these energy savings tips for each appliance in your home.

Clothes Washer:

• Wash full loads and avoid using warm/hot water unless necessary.

Refrigerator:

• Avoid overheating by allowing a space of at least one inch between the wall and the back of the refrigerator. This will help air to circulate and control the temperature.
• Don't place your appliance by areas that produce heat. Radiators, vents, heat ducts, stoves, and even sunlight from your windows can cause the unit to use more power than needed.
• Check the temperature of both your fridge and freezer regularly. Keep the fridge between 35 and 38 degrees and your freezer at 0 degrees.

Dehumidifier:

• Close all windows and doors when running your dehumidifier.
• Change your filters on a regular basis. A build up of dirt can hinder its performance causing the unit to use more energy.
• Keep it away from walls, furniture or dusty areas.

Dishwasher:

• Wash full loads of dishes.
• Only use standard options. Pre-rinse, heat-dry and rinse-hold are extra features that use more energy.

Household Air Conditioner:

• Close all windows and doors.
• Set your timer for temperature control.
• Select the correct unit for the size of your room.

Help us win the battle against our diminishing resources and put an end to excessive energy use. Invest in Energy Star approved appliances and you'll not only save on monthly utility costs, but also reduce pollution and emissions into our homes and environment. After all, preserving our earth is everyone's responsibility, what do you have to lose?