ENERGY STAR Appliances

Details

If you're thinking about replacing your refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, washer, dryer, oven or other major appliance, you should definitely choose an appliance with an ENERGY STAR sticker. However, keep in mind that there's a range of efficiency ratings within ENERGY STAR appliances. For instance, refrigerators with top-mounted freezers are 10 – 25% more efficient than bottom-mounted freezers or side-by-side models, yet all three types can be ENERGY STAR rated. Similarly, smaller refrigerators typically use less energy than larger ones, even if both are ENERGY STAR rated.

If you're trying to save energy from your appliances, the biggest opportunities to save are your refrigerator, washer and dryer. Those three appliances usually consume 80% – 90% of the appliance energy in a home.

The best way to find the most efficient model is to compare the Annual Operating Cost on the Energy Guide sticker across many different models of the appliance you're looking at. Find the one with the smallest annual operating cost that still meets your needs.

February 2010 Update: States across the country are rolling out ENERGY STAR appliance rebate programs this year.

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