Most of these tips
focus on how you can get the most from the appliances
you own now.
However, when you
are shopping for a new appliance, look for the
yellow EnergyGuide label that tells you the units
energy efficiency. This is particularly important
for appliances which use a lot of electricity,
such as air conditioners and refrigerators.
The
higher the EER, the more efficient the appliance.
The label provides
the estimated yearly energy cost for operating
the appliance based on an average national utility
rate. With any appliance, its helpful to compare
units in the same size range when you are trying
to determine which model has the lowest annual
operating cost.
Although very efficient
appliances may cost more to buy, they pay for
themselves through lower energy bills. For example,
by purchasing a very efficient refrigerator, you
could save up to $1,200 over its life. |
