What You Need to Know about Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy efficient appliances have become increasingly popular with environmentalists, business owners, and even homeowners looking to save money on their monthly electricity bills. As their name suggests, energy efficient appliances are simply upgraded, more efficient versions of appliances you probably already have in your home.
If you’re looking to upgrade your appliances, or are just looking for more information about these types of appliances, you should become familiar with these characteristics:
- The Energy Star Program is responsible for improving efficiency across all manufacturers. Compliant appliances are marked with a signature “Energy Star” logo, indicating they meet certain electricity standards. These are federal standards designed to improve total consumer energy efficiency.
- Energy Star certification is not the bottom line. While Energy Star appliances are more efficient than their non-marked counterparts, it is still possible for two Energy Star compliant appliances to have different levels of efficiency. Do your research before buying.
- Bigger appliances pay for themselves faster. If you’re upgrading your appliances one by one, consider starting with the big appliances, like heating and cooling units. The more energy they use, the more you’ll save by switching to efficient models.
- Responsible usage is still encouraged. Even if you have all energy efficient appliances, it is still good practice to only run them when you need them and keep them maintained so they run the way they are supposed to.
- Recycle your old appliances. If you are upgrading to a new appliance and getting rid of your old model, be sure to dispose of the old one properly at a local recycling facility.
Energy efficient appliances are easy to spot, but make sure you do your research so you can find the most efficient models. Appliances are more efficient now than ever before, which means savvy consumers are saving more money on electricity.
