"Green" Efficiency Facts

Energy Star Qualified Products
First things first. What is the "Energy Star" and what does it mean? When an appliance earns the ENERGY STAR® it means that it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. In some areas, purchasing an ENERGY STAR® qualified product may make you eligible for certain utility rebates. Check with your local utility company to see if you're eligible.

How will purchasing a more efficient appliance impact you, the buyer?
Generally speaking, upgrading to energy efficient appliances saves water and energy, which in turn saves you money on your utility bills. But how much? Below are some specific facts about the impacts of owning more energy efficient appliances.

Clothes Washers and Dryers
The average American family washes almost 400 loads of laundry each year, which has a significant impact on your combined household utility bills. Newer, energy efficient washers come in either front-load or redesigned top-load designs. Both configurations have seen dramatic improvements in efficiency and functionality due to technical innovation.

Front-Loading Washers & Dryers were specifically designed to create significant water and energy savings. In fact, some models report using as much as 82% less water and 78% less energy*. Front-loaders gently tumble clothes through a small amount of water instead of twisting and pulling clothes around a turning agitator in a full tub, which lengthens the life of often-washed items. Higher spin speed (two to three times faster) removes water more efficiently and reduces drying time almost in half, while increased capacity allows you to wash more clothes. Consider washing 16 pairs of jeans in a single load while using half the water and energy of a traditional top-load washer. Over the life of your high-efficiency washer, you'll save enough money in operating costs to pay for the matching dryer. With your water savings, you could fill three backyard swimming pools.

Advanced Top-Loaders use sophisticated wash systems to flip or spin clothes through a reduced stream of water. If your washer is more than 10 years old, you're likely using an additional 18 more gallons of water every time you wash a load, compared to a newer model. Higher spin speeds extract more water during the spin cycle, which creates less moisture in the clothes which leads to less time and energy in the dryer. Older conventional models can cost you about $145 more each year on your utility bill, while using next generation technology can cut energy and water consumption by over 40%.

Refrigerators
Next to air-conditioning and heating, a refrigerator is the largest user of electricity in a home. Thanks to recent improvements in insulation and compressors, today's refrigerators use much less energy than older models. If you have an old refrigerator made prior to 1993, it could be costing you over $100 each year to operate. Replacing it with a newer, more efficient model can effectively cut your related energy costs in half. In addition, many newer refrigerators come with innovative features such as precise temperature controls and advanced food compartments to keep your food fresher, longer.

Dishwashers
A new, energy efficient dishwasher uses less hot water as compared to a conventional model, as well as 41% less energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a dishwasher manufactured before 1994 with an ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwasher can save you more than $30 a year in utility costs. Citing a specific manufacturer, Bosch dishwashers exceed federal energy standards by up to 48% and are the quietest dishwashers in America. Many of the newer dishwashers run so quietly, that consumers can't tell when they're on.

(*Compared to the average conventional top-loading washer, using average water, sewer and electrical rates, and electric hot water heat. 10 loads per week. Normal cycle.)