Challenge: Replace Worn-Out Appliances


Upgrading can be a scary thing, especially when the most energy-efficient appliance is also the most expensive one. Don’t panic. Energy-efficient appliances cost a lot to buy, but they will quickly pay for themselves and start saving you money, thanks to much lower operating costs.

So, when you’re out shopping for a new dishwasher, keep in mind that there are two price tags to consider: the initial cost of hte dishwasher and the cost of operating it for the next 11 years. You may find that you’ll save more money by upgrading now even if your current appliance isn’t on its last legs. Most important, an energy-efficient appliance is guaranteed to save you electricity, which means less carbon dioxide will be emitted at the power plant.

What You Should Know: The U.S. Government has created two labels to help you identify energy-efficient products: the EnergyGuide label and the Energy Star logo.

The EnergyGuide label makes it easy for you to compare the energy efficiency of different brands and models of appliances, so you can buy the most efficient product for your needs. Manufacturers are required to put these labels on all refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters, furnaces, boilers, central and room air conditioners, heat pumps, and pool heaters. So if you don’t see it, ask for it!

The Energy Star logo is a stamp of exceptional efficiency. It is awarded only to products that go above and beyond the minimum efficiency standards set by the government. If you see this logo, it means energy savings for the environment and money savings for you.

Refrigerators: Your refrigerator is the biggest energy-using appliance in your home, and a new one will last you about 18 years, so its extremely important that you take energy efficiency into account when buying a new fridge. Currently, the best Energy Star fridge uses less than half the energy used by a typical refrigerator, meaning it can cut your operating costs by more than $70 a year!

Why They’re Better: In the last decade, refrigerator technology has improved faster than that of any other appliance. Today’s energy-efficient fridges have better insulation, tighter door seals, more efficient compressors, and more accurate temperature controls. Refrigerated drawers that are separate from the fridge are also becoming popoular. You can use these for specific foods such as fruits or vegetables. The drawers save energy because they let you open a single drawer instead of the entire refrigerator when you want something. Last, no refrigerators built after 1995 contain ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons in their coolant fluid.
 
So Much To Choose From: Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices in refrigerator features? Here are some things to keep in mind: Side-by-side refrigerator-freezers are 10% less efficient than ones with the freezer mounted above the fridge. Smaller fridges use less energy but may require more trips to the store, so pick the size that is just big enough for your household (this concept also applies to washing machines and dishwashers). Last, definitely choose a model that has automatic moisture control, which means it prevents condensation buildup without the help of a miniheater.


Washing Machines: Your washer will last about 14 years, so you want to choose a new one wisely. A typical washer uses 40 to 60 gallons of water per load, while EnergyStar washers use 50% less water and 70 % less energy. That means an Energy Star washer could save you up to $100 and 7,500 gallons of water a year!

Why They’re Better: Today’s energy-efficient washers have a higher-speed spin cycle, removing more water from the clothes, which means your dryer won’t have to run as long. The also have computer chips that snse the load size, fabric type, nd dirtiness of the water and then adjust the water level, temperature, and type of cycle accordingly. Last, they use higher-pressure sprays during the rinse ccle, which get suds out more quickly and effetively. Studies have shown that these washers clean and rinse clothes better than standard washers while treating the clothes more gently.
 
The Amazing H-Axis: The most efficient washer you can buy today is called a horizontal-axis, or H-axis machine. These washers spin horizontally, just likeyour dryer, and tumble the clothes through a pool of shallow water. Ths desigh requires much less water than a standard washer, which soaks your clothes in a 40 to 60 gallon vat. H-axis washers are usually front-loading, just like your dryer, although there are some top-loading, H-axis washers on the market now.

Dishwashers: Your dishwasher will probably last for 11 years, so upgrading to an Energy Star model that is 25% more efficient and saves up to 2,300 gallons of water per year may be worth your while.

Why They’re Better: Since 80% of the energy consumed by your dishwasher is used to heat the water, recent technology has focused on reducing the amount of water needed for each load. Energy Star dishwashers have better spray arms that clean dishes faster. They also have sensors that can tell how dirty your dishes are and adjust the length, type, and temperature of the cycle accordingly. Almost all new dishwashers have internal booster heaters that raise the temperature of the water to 140°F, allowing you to turn your home’s water heater down to 120°F. Last, make sure you choose a model that has an air-dry setting and energy-saving options such as "light wash" or "energy-saver wash."
 

Easy Things You Can Do

Upgrade your old, inefficient appliances. First, figure out how much your current appliances are costing you and research the most efficient ones on the market. See if upgrading will save you money as well as energy. Once you’ve decided to upgrade, follow these five simple steps:

1. Determine how much you can afford to spend on a new appliance, taking into account any rebates or incentives being offered by your utility or local or state government.
 2. Consider only appliances that have the Energy Star logo.
3. Decide what you want in features and size.
4. Use the EnergyGuide label to figure out the appliance’s "second" price tag (the operating cost over its expected life span). Click here to learn how to find the life-cycle cost of an appliance. Then figure out the second price tags of different brands and models so you can compare them.
5. Choose the most energy-efficient model that meets your needs.

You may be eligible for a rebate; click here for information.

Source: 51 Easy Ways You Can Prevent Global Warming (and save money!), by Jeffrey Langholz, Ph.D., and Kelly Turner