Sarah Schachterle - HERLIFE Magazine

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green living Energy Efficient Appliances What You Need to Know By Linda Maranno T he annual energy bill for a typical single home is approximately $2,200, and appliances account for nearly 20 percent of that cost. If you currently own a major appliance such as a refrigerator, dishwasher or clothes washer that is old and in need of repair or simply nearing the end of its expected life, this would be an ideal time to replace it with a more energy efficient model. Energy efficient appliances not only save you money on your electric bill, they also help protect our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy. While all major home appliances are required to meet specific energy conservation standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy, there can be a significant difference between appliances that just meet the minimum standard and those that exceed it. There are two key labels you should look for when shopping for a new appliance to help you identify those models that are most efficient—EnergyGuide and Energy Star. The average American family washes almost 400 loads of laundry each year. By purchasing a clothes washer with the Enery Star label, energy costs can be cut by about one third, and water costs can be reduced by more than fifty percent. 26 <strong>HERLIFE</strong>magazine.com
ENERGY GUIDE LABEL The Federal Trade Commission requires all manufacturers to place EnergyGuide labels on major appliances to help consumers compare the efficiency of competing brands and similar models. Each label must specify the capacity of the particular model, the estimated annual energy consumption of the model, and estimated annual energy consumption of comparable appliances. Manufacturers must use standard test procedures developed by the Department of Energy to prove the energy use and efficiency of their products. ENERGY STAR LABEL The Energy Star program was created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance. Appliances with the Energy Star label are significantly more energy efficient than the average comparable model. Appliances earn the Energy Star label by meeting criteria established by the EPA including: 1) the product must contribute significant energy savings nationwide and deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers; 2) product energy consumption and peformance can be measured and verified with testing and 3) if a qualified product costs more than a less efficient model, consumers must be able to recover the extra cost through utility bill savings within a reasonable period of time. The following is a quick overview of the Energy Star advantage for three major appliances and suggestions for maximizing their operating efficiency. REFRIGERATORS The refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming appliance in the kitchen. Purchasing a new Energy Star unit can reduce energy consumption significantly—approximately 40 percent over models sold in 2001. Energy Star qualified models use high efficiency compressors, improved insulation, and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms to improve overall energy efficiency. Models with top-mounted freezers use 10–25 percent less energy than bottom-mount or side-by-side models. Keep your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If you keep the setting at just 10 degrees colder than necessary, your energy consumption will jump 25 percent. Positioning your refrigerator away from heat sources such as an oven, dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window is also helpful. DISHWASHERS Energy Star rated dishwashers use less hot water than other models and can reduce energy consumption by at least 40 percent. If you replace a dishwasher made before 1994 with a new Energy Star model, you will save enough water each week to wash three loads of laundry. By reducing water consumption, Energy Star qualified dishwashers also help protect our lakes, streams, and oceans. Dishwashers are available in two sizes— standard capacity models, which hold more than eight place settings and six serving pieces, and compact models, which hold less than that. Choose a dishwasher with several wash cycle options, and use a light wash cycle whenever possible, which uses less water and operates for a shorter period of time. Avoid running your dishwasher until you have a full load and always use the air dry option instead of heat The Energy Star program was created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance. Appliances with the Energy Star label are significantly more energy efficient than the average comparable model. dry. CLOTHES WASHERS The average American family washes almost 400 loads of laundry each year. By purchasing a clothes washer with the Enery Star label, energy costs can be cut by about one third, and water costs can be reduced by more than 50 percent. Over the life of an Energy Star qualified washer, you’ll save enough money in operating costs to pay for the matching dryer. Choose a model with a high Modified Energy Factor (MEF), which is a measure of energy efficiency that considers the energy used by the washer and the energy used to heat the water, and a low Water Factor (WF), which measures water efficiency in gallons of water consumed per cubic foot of capacity. Washing clothes in cold water will reduce energy use by 75 percent and save almost 500 pounds of CO2 per year. REBATES AND SPECIAL OFFERS To encourage customers to buy energy efficient products, local utilities sometimes offer credits on your electric bill and Energy Star partners occasionally sponsor special offers such as sales tax exemptions or rebates on qualified products. To find special offers available in your area, visit www.energystar.gov, and click on “rebate finder” listed under the “Explore Products” section on the home page and enter your zip code. <strong>HERLIFE</strong>magazine.com 27
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Sarah Schachterle - HERLIFE Magazine

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