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Buying Appliances Tips
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR labels appear on appliances that are the most energy efficient products in their class. These labels may be found on a variety of appliances and electronics including refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers and room air conditioners.
Manufacturers and retailers can voluntarily place ENERGY STAR labels on those appliances that meet or exceed standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. For consumers, looking for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label can make purchasing decisions easier and typically use about 20-40% less energy than other new models. These products not only save energy; they help prevent air pollution and save money, frequently with better performance.
Find out more about ENERGY STAR qualified products and locate a store near you that carries products with the ENERGY STAR label at: www.energystar.gov
Learn more at the California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center
ENERGY STAR labels appear on appliances that are the most energy efficient products in their class. These labels may be found on a variety of appliances and electronics including refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers and room air conditioners.
Manufacturers and retailers can voluntarily place ENERGY STAR labels on those appliances that meet or exceed standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. For consumers, looking for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label can make purchasing decisions easier and typically use about 20-40% less energy than other new models. These products not only save energy; they help prevent air pollution and save money, frequently with better performance.
Find out more about ENERGY STAR qualified products and locate a store near you that carries products with the ENERGY STAR label at: www.energystar.gov
Learn more at the California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center
Comparing Gas and Electric Stoves
There are three types of gas burners available: conventional burners with standing pilots, conventional burners with electric ignition (the most common), and sealed burners, where the burner is fused to the cooktop. Standing pilots can more than double the annual energy consumption of your cooktop or range and should be avoided. When comparing sealed to unsealed burners, there is no measurable difference in cooking efficiency, although sealed burners are simpler and easier to clean.
With electric cooktops, a number of different burner types are available, in order of increasing efficiency (and cost): solid disk, exposed coil (the most common type), radiant, halogen, or induction elements. Unless you do a lot of cooking, it is probably hard to justify the more efficient cooktop technologies on energy savings alone. It would probably be most cost-effective to stick with an electric coil or radiant element and put your money into more efficient cookware.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
There are three types of gas burners available: conventional burners with standing pilots, conventional burners with electric ignition (the most common), and sealed burners, where the burner is fused to the cooktop. Standing pilots can more than double the annual energy consumption of your cooktop or range and should be avoided. When comparing sealed to unsealed burners, there is no measurable difference in cooking efficiency, although sealed burners are simpler and easier to clean.
With electric cooktops, a number of different burner types are available, in order of increasing efficiency (and cost): solid disk, exposed coil (the most common type), radiant, halogen, or induction elements. Unless you do a lot of cooking, it is probably hard to justify the more efficient cooktop technologies on energy savings alone. It would probably be most cost-effective to stick with an electric coil or radiant element and put your money into more efficient cookware.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Comparing Conventional or Convection Ovens
Convection ovens are usually more energy efficient than conventional ovens because the heated air is continuously circulated around the food being cooked, reducing required temperature and cooking times. On average, these ovens cut energy use by about 20%.
With conventional gas or electric ovens, self-cleaning models are more energy-efficient because they have more insulation. But if you use the self-cleaning feature more than about once a month, you’ll end up using more energy with the feature than you save from the extra insulation.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Convection ovens are usually more energy efficient than conventional ovens because the heated air is continuously circulated around the food being cooked, reducing required temperature and cooking times. On average, these ovens cut energy use by about 20%.
With conventional gas or electric ovens, self-cleaning models are more energy-efficient because they have more insulation. But if you use the self-cleaning feature more than about once a month, you’ll end up using more energy with the feature than you save from the extra insulation.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Buying a Refrigerator
When buying a new refrigerator, consider the following:
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
When buying a new refrigerator, consider the following:
- Low Annual Energy Use. Models that are 20%, 25% and 30% better than the federal standard may qualify for rebates — check with your local utility.
- Choose top-mounted freezer configuration over side-by-side. Side-by-side refrigerator/freezers use more energy than similarly sized models with the freezer on top, even if they both carry the ENERGY STAR.
- Refrigerators under 25 cubic feet should meet the needs of most households. The models over 25 cubic feet use significantly more energy.
- Minimize multiple refrigerators. It is generally much more efficient to operate one big refrigerator rather than two smaller ones.
- Recycle your old fridge. Be sure you dispose of your old refrigerator properly. Learn how by visiting the Local Resources in your area and looking through At the Curb.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Buying a Dishwasher
When buying a new dishwasher, consider the following:
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
When buying a new dishwasher, consider the following:
- Low Water Use. Some ENERGY STAR models use half as much water as others, saving hundreds of gallons of water each year, but to find the most water-efficient model you have to look at the manufacturer's information to gauge water efficiency. In some states, electric and water utilities offer rebates for the purchase of models that are exceptionally efficient.
- Wash Cycle Options. Most dishwashers have several different wash cycle selections. The more options you have, the better you can tailor the energy and water use needed for a particular load. Some dishwashers on the market today use “soil sensor” technology to automatically adjust water use depending on how dirty the dishes are in each load.
- Energy-Saving “No-Heat” Dry. An electric heating element is generally used to dry dishes at the end of the final rinse cycle, consuming about 7% of dishwasher energy use. Most new dishwashers offer an energy-saving no-heat drying feature.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Buying a Clothes Washer
When purchasing a new clothes washer, consider the following:
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
When purchasing a new clothes washer, consider the following:
- Clothes washer energy efficiency is indicated by the Modified Energy Factor (MEF), which accounts for dryer energy and water heating energy associated with the use of the washer. The Water Factor (WF) indicates the number of gallons needed for each cubic foot of laundry. You want to select a washer with the highest MEF and lowest WF you can find given your budget, capacity needs, and other considerations.
- In general, front-loading washers are much more efficient that top-loading washers.
- All front loaders and many of the higher-efficiency top-loaders feature advanced electronic controls to adjust the water level automatically according to the size of the load. If the models you are considering do not have these controls, choose a machine that lets you select lower water levels when you are doing smaller loads.
- Choose a clothes washer that offers plenty of choices for energy conserving wash and rinse cycles. Wash and rinse temperatures have a dramatic impact on overall energy use—a hot water wash with warm rinse costs 5 to 10 times more than a cold wash and rinse.
- Faster spin speeds can result in better water extraction and thus reduce the energy required for drying.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Buying a Dryer
The major energy consideration is whether the dryer uses termination controls to sense dryness and turn off automatically. You can save a significant amount of energy by buying a model that senses dryness and automatically shuts off rather than counting on you to estimate the time it will take. Most of the better quality dryers today include this feature.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
The major energy consideration is whether the dryer uses termination controls to sense dryness and turn off automatically. You can save a significant amount of energy by buying a model that senses dryness and automatically shuts off rather than counting on you to estimate the time it will take. Most of the better quality dryers today include this feature.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Buying Electronics
The energy use of electronic equipment often goes unnoticed. But as it turns out, an estimated 10% to 15% of all electricity used in American homes can be attributed to standby power used by electronic devices. The vast majority is consumed by home entertainment systems and home office equipment. But small energy users, including portable devices with battery chargers, make up a significant share—not because they use a lot of energy individually, but because of their sheer numbers.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
The energy use of electronic equipment often goes unnoticed. But as it turns out, an estimated 10% to 15% of all electricity used in American homes can be attributed to standby power used by electronic devices. The vast majority is consumed by home entertainment systems and home office equipment. But small energy users, including portable devices with battery chargers, make up a significant share—not because they use a lot of energy individually, but because of their sheer numbers.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Buying Home Entertainment Equipment
Look for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing a new TV, DVD Player, VCR, audio system, or digital-to-analog converter box. The ENERGY STAR label ensures low standby power use for these appliances—in most cases only 1 watt or less. As of January, 2008, the ENERGY STAR label for TVs will indicate low active-mode power use as well (when the TV is actually on). Under 40 inches, choose a TV with an LCD screen. The average plasma TV uses more energy per year than a modern refrigerator and inch-per-inch, an LCD TV can use up to three times less power than a plasma TV.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Look for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing a new TV, DVD Player, VCR, audio system, or digital-to-analog converter box. The ENERGY STAR label ensures low standby power use for these appliances—in most cases only 1 watt or less. As of January, 2008, the ENERGY STAR label for TVs will indicate low active-mode power use as well (when the TV is actually on). Under 40 inches, choose a TV with an LCD screen. The average plasma TV uses more energy per year than a modern refrigerator and inch-per-inch, an LCD TV can use up to three times less power than a plasma TV.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Appliance Recycling and Disposal
Household appliances, like all consumer goods, require energy and resources in their creation, operation, and disposal. Environmental consequences after disposal may include the introduction of greenhouse gases, heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the environment. Refrigerators, air conditioners, electronics, and fluorescent lighting products pose particular risks to the environment that should be kept in check; however, consumers should minimize the impact of all disposed goods by recycling as much of the durable materials as possible (metals, plastics, glass) and by making themselves aware of and recovering any harmful substances involved. This reduces the impact of landfill waste as well as further mining of increasingly scarce resources. Learn more At the Curb.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Household appliances, like all consumer goods, require energy and resources in their creation, operation, and disposal. Environmental consequences after disposal may include the introduction of greenhouse gases, heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the environment. Refrigerators, air conditioners, electronics, and fluorescent lighting products pose particular risks to the environment that should be kept in check; however, consumers should minimize the impact of all disposed goods by recycling as much of the durable materials as possible (metals, plastics, glass) and by making themselves aware of and recovering any harmful substances involved. This reduces the impact of landfill waste as well as further mining of increasingly scarce resources. Learn more At the Curb.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Appliance Trade-In Rebates
Your utility may even pay you to get rid of inefficient appliances. These programs usually involve an incentive on the order of $35 for the collection of old units, either in the form of cash or a rebate towards an ENERGY STAR replacement. A third party contractor that works with the utility will either come to you and pick up the appliance, or hold a turn-in event where you drop it off. Existing programs predominantly target old refrigerators; a few programs also offer a rebate for room air conditioners. Ask your contractor to ensure that the old units are disposed of properly.
Companies like ARCA Inc., JACO Environmental, and CSG run recycling ‘bounty’ programs for the sustainable recycling of old appliances. To bring a bounty program to your community, or for more information on bounty programs, try contacting your electricity provider, your local air protection government official, or the previously mentioned companies.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Your utility may even pay you to get rid of inefficient appliances. These programs usually involve an incentive on the order of $35 for the collection of old units, either in the form of cash or a rebate towards an ENERGY STAR replacement. A third party contractor that works with the utility will either come to you and pick up the appliance, or hold a turn-in event where you drop it off. Existing programs predominantly target old refrigerators; a few programs also offer a rebate for room air conditioners. Ask your contractor to ensure that the old units are disposed of properly.
Companies like ARCA Inc., JACO Environmental, and CSG run recycling ‘bounty’ programs for the sustainable recycling of old appliances. To bring a bounty program to your community, or for more information on bounty programs, try contacting your electricity provider, your local air protection government official, or the previously mentioned companies.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
