Why & How to Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

Go Green in 2014: Week 33

Today's homes are conveniently equipped with various large appliances, including a refrigerator, stove, oven, washer and dryer, computers, and more. My husband and I were lucky when we bought our house because it came with all these things, minus the washer and dryer. The downfall of all this convenience is the energy that it takes to run them.

According to Eartheasy.com, the average home actually causes more air pollution than the average car. This is because much of the energy we use in our homes comes from power plants, which burn fossil fuel to power our electric products. Burning fossil fuels causes air pollution and contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming (source).

Fortunately, almost all new appliances today are more energy efficient than those of the past. If you have older models in your home, they are very likely using a lot more energy than a newer one would.

Are you in the market for a new appliance of some type? Let's discuss why it's a good idea to choose energy-efficient appliances, how to find them, and a few more appliance tips for saving energy (and money).

Why choose energy efficient appliances

As I already mentioned above, appliances are a huge source of pollution - not to mention the money it costs to run them.

1. Less pollution. We can help improve the air quality by choosing energy-efficient appliances.
2. Reduced energy bills. Because they use less energy, our energy bills will be smaller.
3. Government rebates. By purchasing an energy-efficient appliance, you could get a government rebate, which will help pay for the somewhat higher purchase price.
4. Less water use. Many newer appliances also use less water, saving you money on your water bill, as well.

How to find energy efficient appliances

First, look for appliances that are the appropriate size for your space. Consider the purchase price, as well as the estimated energy use; often, you will save more money on energy use when you buy a more expensive model. Read the yellow energy guide label and look for the Energy Star logo. Energy Star is the symbol for energy-efficient appliances, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to help consumers save money and minimize air pollution.

Types of energy efficient appliances

The Energy Star logo can be found on numerous energy-efficient appliances, and those with this logo are significantly more efficient than the minimum government standards. Here are some of the appliances that are Energy Star rated, along with some tips for further minimizing your energy usage.

Refrigerator

1. Fill empty freezer space to minimize the amount of space that needs to be kept cold. Take empty jugs and fill them with water to help fill this space.
2. Vacuum the coils in the back of the refrigerator to maximize energy efficiency.
3. Wait until food has mostly cooled down before putting it into the refrigerator or freezer.

Stove/Oven

1. Choose the burner that is closest to the size pot you are using. If it's too large, energy will be wasted.
2. Use lids on pots so you can cook on a lower temperature setting.
3. Turn the oven off a few minutes before food is done cooking, and let it finish the job with the heat that is already in the oven.
4. Make sure the oven door is sealed tight to avoid losing heat and wasting energy.

Washer/Dryer

1. Wash larger loads of laundry less frequently to save water and energy.
2. Use cold water to wash clothing whenever possible. Darker items can usually be washed in cold water, as well as anything that is lightly soiled.
3. Clean dryer lint after each use to improve efficiency - and to avoid a fire hazard.
4. Whenever possible, dry laundry on a clothesline or clothes rack. It even helps to cut your dry cycle ten minutes short and let the laundry finish air drying.

Dishwasher

1. Avoid unnecessary rinsing before placing dishes in the machine; many modern dishwashers are actually more efficient when dishes are scraped but not rinsed before running a cycle.
2. Run the dishwasher only when you have a full load.
3. If possible, look for a model with an "air dry" option, which uses circulation fans.

Air Conditioner

1. Keep leaves and debris off the air conditioning using to maximize efficiency.
2. Clean the filter screen frequently.
3. Utilize ceiling fans, which enables you to adjust the air conditioning by 3-6 degrees, saving you money on cooling the home.

Water Heater

1. Lower the settings on your water heater, finding the lowest setting that supplies you with enough hot water.
2. Insulate your water heater to save money while getting more hot water.

Computer

1. Turn off the computer when it is not in use. Consider using a power strip for all your home office devices so you can turn them all off with once click of a button.
2. Use a laptop rather than a desktop when possible; laptops use about half the energy a desktop computer consumes.

Do you have energy-efficient appliances in your home? What are your favorite tips for reducing energy usage and saving money?

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Your challenge: This week, consider any appliances you might need in the future and start researching energy efficient brands.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**