The New Year often brings a resolve to save more and spend less, and that could be especially true during these difficult economic times. It’s a resolution you can keep.
How? Replace one major home appliance with an Energy Star appliance, and you can save $75 this year on your energy bills.
You may have heard that home appliances carry two price tags. The first is the price you pay to buy the appliance. The second is the amount you will pay every year over the life of the appliance for the energy and water needed to operate it.
Energy Star appliances are designed to use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than other models. The Energy Star label is part of the U.S. government’s effort to encourage energy conservation.
Though Energy Star appliances may cost a little more to buy than other models, you will reap the savings in operating costs over the life of the appliance.
The most energy-efficient clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, air conditioners and water heaters have earned the Energy Star label.
Another label to look for when you shop for a new appliance: the yellow Energy-Guide. This label tells you how much energy the appliance uses every year and compares that number to similar models. The lower the operating cost, the more you’ll save on your monthly energy bill.
