Need a new appliance? Time to replace an old one?
Appliances account for approximately 45% of a home's energy costs. Here are some factors to consider for higher energy efficiency and cost savings:
-Unplug appliances when they are not in use. Appliances continue to draw power even after they have been turned off. This is called a phantom load. The United States uses about 43 billion kWh of electricity per year as a result of this.
-Top-freezer refrigerators can use as much as 10-25% less energy than side-by-side models.
-Gas ovens use less energy than electric ones. Self-cleaning ovens are more insulated and will save even more on utility bills.
-Front-loading clothes washing machines use approximately one-third of the water that conventional machines use to wash the same size load of clothing. Horizontal axis models also spin clothes faster which results in less drying time.
-Overall, dishwashers are a better and more efficient way to clean dishes than hand washing.
-Buy appliances with a better Energy Star Rating. Energy Star® labeled appliances typically exceed federal minimum efficiency standards by 15-20%.
-Home owners should consider replacing major home appliances that are 10 to 15 years old.
The Energy Guide Label
Federal law requires a bright yellow Energy Guide label to be placed on many types of home appliances. The label compares the most and least energy used by comparable models of the same appliance type, and helps estimate the cost to operate the appliance. Energy Star® labeled appliances typically exceed federal minimum efficiency standards by 15-20%.
The Energy Guide label gives you two important pieces of information you can use for comparison of different brands and models:
1.Estimated energy consumption on a scale showing a range for similar models.
2.Estimated yearly operating cost based on the national average cost of electricity.
For a more accurate assessment of operating cost, multiply the estimated energy use (from the label) by your local utility rates.
For more Green Living Tips and information on Austin Real Estate, visit: www.LiveGreenInAustin.com
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