Generally, Energy Star-rated appliances use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard units. Among the 50 categories of Energy Star products are energy-efficient air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and dehumidifiers.
Swapping a 10-year-old room air conditioner for an Energy Star-qualified unit can easily save $25 annually in energy costs. Every Energy Star air conditioner comes with an Energy Guide label that lists the unit’s EER (energy efficiency ratio) and compares the energy use of that unit with all similar models within the same BTU range. The greater the EER, the greater are the savings.
Energy Star clothes washers use fast spin speeds to extract more water from clothes than non-Energy Star models, reducing clothes dryer time and therefore energy use. Energy Star dishwashers consume at least 41 percent less energy than the federal minimum standard requires. They also use less water, including hot water, therefore saving on heating of the water as well.
Today’s Energy Star refrigerators use about half the energy of models predating 1993. Featuring high-efficiency compressors, better insulation and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms, they use, at minimum, 15 percent less energy than required by current federal standards and 40 percent less energy than conventional models sold in 2001.
The more efficient refrigeration coil, compressor and fan of an Energy Star dehumidifier enable removal of moisture from interior air with less energy than a conventional unit, potentially saving up to $20 annually.
Energy Star-qualified light bulbs or light fixtures use up to 75 percent less energy than standard lighting, produce 75 percent less heat (reducing the air cooling load for a space) and last up to 10 times longer.
LEDs, still an emerging technology, consume the least amount of energy of any lighting source (except daylight, of course). Because they are highly directional and put together in an array, they require special fixtures to maximize light distribution, which some manufacturers already offer. In addition, LED strips are increasingly popular choices above cabinets, under counters and inside kickspaces. For more information: www.energystar.gov.
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