You’ve probably noticed the bright yellow ENERGY STAR labels on everything from new refrigerators to washing machines. But what exactly is ENERGY STAR? Do the benefits of these energy-efficient appliances make them worth the investment? Will they save you money in the long run?
Let’s start with some background about the ENERGY STAR program. In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program expanded over the years, and now the ENERGY STAR label can be found on major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, new homes and more.
The results of the program have been impressive so far. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped save American families and businesses nearly 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity and achieve over 3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, equivalent to the annual emissions of over 600 million cars. In 2017 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped Americans avoid $30 billion in energy costs.
That said, you might not have the resources to replace all your appliances at once. Let’s take a look at a few different appliance categories and the benefits you could realize by upgrading to ENERGY STAR.
Clothes Washers
Is your washer over 10 years old? Washers built before 2003 are significantly less efficient than newer models, costing consumers $2.9 billion each year in energy and water.
With the average American family washing about 300 loads of laundry each year, a new ENERGY STAR washer could help you reduce your energy and water costs significantly. In fact, washing machines that are ENERGY STAR certified use about 25% less energy and 33% less water than non-certified models.
Clothes Dryers
About 80 percent of American homes have a clothes dryer, so the savings opportunity is huge. ENERGY STAR certified dryers use 20 percent less energy than conventional models without sacrificing features or performance. Plus many new dryers have innovative energy-saving technologies, such as moisture sensors that detect when clothes are dry and automatically shut the dryer off. For even more savings, consider ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers - they can save 20 - 60 percent more than conventional clothes dryers. Consumers with high clothes dryer usage and high electricity rates have the potential for large energy and cost savings.
Refrigerators
Thanks to recent improvements in insulation and compressors, today’s refrigerators are much more efficient than older models. ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators are about 9 percent more energy efficient than models that meet the federal minimum energy efficiency standard. By properly recycling your old refrigerator and replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator, you can save more than $300 over the next 5 years.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are often out of sight, and therefore out of mind. But when you replace your conventional unit with an ENERGY STAR certified one, you’ll use 15 percent less energy while removing the same amount of moisture. In fact, the annual energy saved by an ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier could power your ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator for nearly two months!*
Clearly, ENERGY STAR appliances are a great way to save on your utility bills while conserving energy. Click here to learn more about potential rebates.
Source: energystar.gov
