 |
Appliances - Clothes Washers, Dishwashers, Refrigerators,
and Room Air Conditioners |
The
Second Price Tag:
Energy Efficient appliances cost less to own...
Although energy efficient models sometimes cost more to purchase initially, any extra
up-front cost can often be made up with savings on your utility bill. One helpful way to
figure out if buying an ENERGY STARŪ appliance makes sense for you is to think of two
price tags.
The first price tag is the purchase price that you pay at the store when you buy the
appliance.
The second price tag is the cost to operate the appliance over its lifetime. You pay to
operate the appliance every month for as long as you own the appliance.
You might be surprised to see how much it can cost to own an appliance that seems like a
good deal up front. Also, check with your local utility - many offer rebates on the
purchase of ENERGY STARŪ rated appliances.
What is an ENERGY STAR Appliance?
The ENERGY STARŪ may be found on clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and room
air conditioners. An appliance receives the ENERGY STARŪ rating if it is
significantly more energy efficient than the minimum government standards, as determined
by standard testing procedures.
The amount by which an appliance
must exceed the minimum standards is different for each product rated, and depends on
available technology. ENERGY STARŪ rated products are always among the most efficient
available today. |