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Newer Appliances Can Offer Energy Savings

Posted: 9/17/2010

Experts say replacing older home appliances is the most practical and effective step a homeowner can take to reduce energy consumption.

(NAPSI) - There's good news for those looking for ways to cut energy spending around the home. Experts say replacing older home appliances is the most practical and effective step a homeowner can take to reduce energy consumption.

For example, replacing an eight-year-old refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer with new appliances of average efficiency will save consumers about $95.00 per year in energy bills. In most cases, the savings over the life of the appliance will more than pay for the cost of the new appliance.

Cleaning Up On Savings

Replacing an eight-year-old clothes washer will save more than $60.00 in electricity costs and nearly 5,000 gallons of water per year. Additional energy can be saved through the following tips:

• Take advantage of your dishwasher's "eco" option that reduces water use, or use a no-heat air dry feature.

• Use load-size settings. If you are washing a small load of clothing, be sure to change the load setting. Use cold water settings whenever possible.

• Always clean the lint filter on the clothes dryer after each use. A clogged filter can reduce dryer performance.

A Cooler Way To Save

Energy consumption in refrigerators continued to decline in 2009 with new refrigerators using an average of 450 kWh per year, over 50 percent less than units made in 1990. These easy tips will help you save more money:

• Allow hot foods to cool before placing them in the refrigerator, and always cover foods that may release moisture in the refrigerator.

• Limit opening the refrigerator and freezer doors. Label foods or use clear food storage bags to easily identify foods.

If you are looking to purchase a new appliance, consider an ENERGY STAR model. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to identify energy-efficient products that will help you save on your energy bills without sacrificing the quality of the product. These appliances will help save 10−20 percent more energy than a non−ENERGY STAR model. Visit the ENERGY STAR website to find rebates or special offers available in your area. You may also find recycling incentives for the proper disposal of old products.

For more information on energy savings, visit www.aham.org/consumer.

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