About ENERGY STAR -Get Smart with Appliances

green | July 3rd, 2009 - 12:44 PM

starAccording to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new energy-efficient model would save enough energy to light the average household for almost four months.

Energy Star is an international standard for energy-efficient equipment and has also been adopted by countries around the world including Australia and New Zealand. When you’re ready to shop, look for the Energy Star logo posted on appliances that exceed U.S. government standards for energy efficiency. (Energy Star claims products awarded its rating use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than other models.) ENERGY STAR reduces the amount of energy consumed by a product by either automatically switching it into a ‘sleep’ mode when it’s not being used and/or reducing the amount power used when in ‘standby’ mode.

These appliances are often more costly than their less-efficient counterparts, though you’re likely to recoup that difference in utility bill savings over the product’s lifetime. What if you’d love to swap out all your appliances but can only afford one? Henry Bustamante, sales associate at Builder’s Appliance Supply Co. in Northwest Portland, recommends a front-loading clothes washer because it delivers a compelling combination of money, electricity and water savings.

Global warming and climate change caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions are among the most serious environmental, economic, social and political issues.

Check OregonLive.com for energy saving tips.

http://www.oregonlive.com/home-garden/index.ssf/green-living/get-smart-with-appliances-1.html

http://www.energystar.gov/

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