Tips to Choose Energy Efficient Appliances

By choosing energy efficient appliances, you will save money on utility bills--simply because energy efficient products use less energy. All home appliances are required by law to run efficiently, to a point, but there are many products that beat the standard and save you even more money. However, the cheapest model on the sales floor may not be the one that saves you the most money.

Compare the purchase price vs. estimated energy use. Sure, certain models may cost you a large chunk of money in the beginning compared to other brands. But consider the purchase price and the estimated energy use - the more expensive model may be considerably more energy efficient, saving you more money in the long run.

Look for energy efficient offers. There are various incentives available to encourage buyers to purchase energy efficient appliances: cash rebates, low-interest loans, and more. Trading in that old, energy hog for a newer model could turn out to be a good deal--in return for a small investment, you get a sleek, modern appliance, and you will save money throughout the life of said appliance.

Read the energy guide label. This is a tag that is required by law to be attached to all new appliances, with the exception of ranges, microwave ovens, and clothes dryers. It will tell you the capacity of the model (for refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and water heaters), the energy efficiency rating (for air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and pool heaters), the annual energy consumption of each appliance and the range of estimated annual energy consumption--or energy efficiency ratings--for comparable appliances.

Check for the energy star logo. You will see it on a large number of new appliances today. Products with the energy star logo are significantly more energy-efficient than the standard, comparable model. If you wish to learn more about this program, which is operated by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, please visit the Energy Star website .

Buy the right appliance size for your needs. First and foremost, measure the area to make sure your new appliance will fit. Then select the size and model, ensuring that you will have enough room to open the door or lid, and that there will be enough clearance for ventilation. Now, bring it home and enjoy using your new, energy efficient appliance.

References
Energy-efficient appliances , Eartheasy.com
How to buy an energy-efficient home appliance , Federal Trade Commission