Energy efficiency saves money as well as energy. Large and small appliances are significant energy users in the home. A heating unit is the largest energy user in most areas, and cooling is second. Other appliances using significant amounts of energy are a water heater, washer, dryer and refrigerator. Smaller appliances include your iron and toaster, along with a television and electronics. Energy-efficient appliances often have better insulation and wiser use of the energy within.
The Energy Star program is a joint effort of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. This program grades homes and large appliances for energy efficiency. In recent years, Energy Star provides ratings on some electronics. An Energy Star rating shows that the appliance or even the home meets the federal standards for energy efficiency. The Internal Revenue Service gives tax credits for some Energy Star products in a principal residence with emphasis on geothermal and solar energy users.
The three large appliances that consume the most energy in the home use 50 percent of your energy, reports the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Heating, cooling and water heating also have the greatest impact on your energy use when they are energy efficient. Energy Star rates large appliances with the Energy Star label and an Energy Guide card attached to the appliance when new so you can compare units side by side. Appliances such as heating units and water heaters may be available in gas. If gas is available in your area, the most energy-efficient appliance for you may be gas operated.
Refrigerators and freezers consume about 8 percent of your energy use while a washer and dryer combined with the cooking unit use another 8 percent. The National Resources Defense Council reports that the newer refrigerators consume 75 percent less energy than those produced in the late 1970s. An Energy Star refrigerator purchase may actually save money with energy savings, particularly if you purchase the right size. A large refrigerator costs more to operate and is wasted energy for small families.
A key to energy efficiency in electronics is in the power saver or sleep mode. Energy Star and energy-efficient electronics may require the same power when in use but draw less power when not in use. The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that ink jet printers are more efficient than lasers, and LCD televisions and monitors consume less energy than plasma or CRT screens. Small electronics with heavy transformers are less energy efficient than those with lightweight power supplies. Once you purchase energy efficient electronics, activate the energy-saving features like sleep mode and standby.
Large Appliances
