New Appliances Save Energy and Restore Environment

“There is a definite cost savings with using energy efficient appliances,” said Richard Dale, home energy expert with The Home Depot. “They not only help reduce our high energy bills, they’re better for the environment.”

Products that earn ENERGY STAR status prevent green house gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. These products use a minimum of 10 percent less energy than non-qualified products.

In addition to appliances, there are many ENERGY STAR qualified products on the market such as lighting, heating and cooling devices, office equipment and home electronics.

Just how efficient are ENERGY STAR appliances? According to energystar.gov, replacing a clothes washer manufactured before 1994 with an ENERGY STAR-rated model will save more than $110 in energy costs per year. In addition, an ENERGY STAR refrigerator requires about half as much energy as a model manufactured before 1993.

Last year alone, ENERGY STAR products helped Americans save enough energy to power 20 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the amount produced by 18 million cars. In addition, they saved $9 billion in energy costs.

Though prices for these appliances and other products are typically higher than noncompliant models, the difference is recouped in the form of lower energy bills.

According to Home Depot’s Dale, when buying an appliance, remember that it has two price tags: what you pay to take it home and what you pay for the energy and water it uses. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard models. The money you save on your utility bills can more than make up for the cost of a more expensive but more efficient model.

For example, an ENERGY STAR-rated dishwasher requires 25 percent less energy to operate and uses 44 percent less water than standard models.

“Over time, the energy cost savings pays for any price premium you experience on the front end,” said Dale. “And, demand for energy-efficient products will continue to drive down prices.”

Environmentalists, manufacturers and retailers alike point out that consumers considering a switch to more energy-efficient appliances needn’t worry about sacrificing style or features.