Energy-efficient Appliances

Summary: Energystar

Description

Time to get rid of the old dryer, freezer, ceiling fan, computer, television, air conditioner...? Replace it with a more energy-efficient one. It won’t just decrease your carbon footprint, it will also save on your oil, gas, electricity, and water bills! 
One of your first stops while shopping around should be the ENERGY STAR  site. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR® are independently certified to save energy, save money and protect the climate without sacrificing features or functionality.

REFRIGERATOR

• ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators are about 9 percent more energy efficient than models that meet the federal minimum energy efficiency standard. By properly recycling your old refrigerator and replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator, you can save more than $260 over the 12-year lifetime of the product.
• ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators offer high performance features such as high-efficiency compressors that create less heat and use less energy, improved insulation that helps food stay cold, and temperature and defrost mechanisms that help the refrigerator operate more efficiently.
• Consider replacing and recycling older model working refrigerators, especially those made before 2000. Older model refrigerators often use more than four times the energy of newer models.
• If you’re purchasing a new refrigerator, one with a top-mounted freezer is generally the most efficient. And choose the smallest one that fits your needs. In general, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption.
• Coolers - commonly referred to as wine coolers and beverage centers - include built-in and compact models. ENERGY STAR certified coolers are up to 20% more efficient than models that meet the federal minimum energy efficiency standard.

CLOTHES WASHER

• The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year. ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than regular washers.
• New energy efficient clothes washers use sophisticated wash systems to flip and spin clothes through a water stream, rather than relying on the tub to fill up with water. This saves ten gallons of water per load.  
• These clothes washers are also designed to extract more water during the spin cycle than standard clothes washers. This allows for shorter drying times, adding up to additional energy and time savings for every load of laundry.
• Over the lifetime of the product, models that have earned the ENERGY STAR can save nearly $360 in energy costs.
• You may be eligible for a rebate of up to $150 from Mass Save®.
• See Deep Dive tab for information on the $150 rebate and for tips for energy efficient clothes washer usage.

CLOTHES DRYER

• As one of the largest energy hogs in your home, conventional clothes dryers can consume twice the energy of a refrigerator. ENERGY STAR® certified electric dryers are 20 percent more efficient than non-certified models, without sacrificing features or functionality, and will save you money every time you do laundry.
• Efficient heating technology requires less energy to dry your clothes, and smart controls sense when the laundry is dry. Together they save energy and are gentler on your clothes.
• You may be eligible for $50 Rebate with your purchase of an ENERGY STAR certified electric clothes dryer.
• See Deep Dive tab for information on the $50 rebate and for tips for energy efficient dryer usage.

DISHWASHER

• A standard-sized ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher costs about $35 per year to run and can save you about 3,800 gallons of water over its lifetime.
• Dishwasher technology has improved dramatically over the last decade and new ENERGY STAR certified models include several innovations like soil sensors, improved water filtration, more efficient jets, and dish rack designs that reduce energy and water consumption and improve performance. By reducing water consumption, ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers also help protect our lakes, streams, and oceans.

Deep Dive

REFRIGERATOR

Tips for reducing the amount of energy your refrigerator or cooler uses:

• Set the appropriate temperature.
  Keep your refrigerator at 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Refer to the product manual for appropriate temperature ranges for coolers.
• Place your fridge in a cool place. 
  Position your refrigerator or cooler away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window.
• Allow air circulation behind the fridge. 
  Leave a few inches between the wall and the refrigerator or cooler, and keep the condenser coils clean if you have an older model. Read the user’s manual to learn how to safely clean coils. Coil cleaning brushes can be purchased at most hardware stores.
• Check the door seals.
  Make sure the seals around the door are airtight. If not, replace them.
• Keep the door closed. 
  Minimize the amount of time the door is open.

Consider the type of refrigerant different models use. 

Some refrigerants are better than others when it comes to Global Warming Potential (GWP), i.e., the degree to which they contribute to global warming when released into the air.  R-600a and R-441a are low GWP refrigerants.  While information on refrigerant type is somewhat limited for older models, many new models provide the refrigerant type. Available information on ENERGY STAR certified consumer refrigeration product models is compiled here.

CLOTHES WASHER

Eligibility for $150 rebate from Mass Save:

• This offer is only open to Massachusetts residential electric customers of Cape Light Compact JPE, Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil.
• Applications for 2023 rebates and all necessary materials must be postmarked or submitted online by January 31, 2023. Applications for 2022 rebates and all necessary materials must be postmarked or submitted online by January 31, 2022. 
• A special home visit is required to confirm the inefficiency of your existing clothes washer. Call 1-866-527-SAVE (7283)to schedule a Mass Save no-cost Home Energy Assessment.
• Clothes washer must be front or top loading and an ENERGY STAR^®certified

What should I look for when buying a clothes washer?

In recent years, clothes washer technology has seen dramatic improvements in efficiency and functionality. Selecting an ENERGY STAR certified washer gets you all the premium features and functionality.

• Consider the benefits of front load.  ENERGY STAR certified front load washers use about 45% less energy and 50% less water than a top load agitator washer. In the past decade or so, top load impeller washers, which have a low-profile cone or disc instead of an agitator, have become popular as a more energy- and water-efficient option compared to traditional top load washers. However, compared to a top load impeller washer, front load washers are still about 25% more energy and water efficient.
• Get a shower of water savings. New ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use advanced technology to dramatically reduce water use. Full-sized washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR use 14 gallons of water per load, compared to the 20 gallons used by a standard machine.
• Long live your clothes.  Clothes washers with agitators can be rough on your clothes and put them through extra wear and tear. ENERGY STAR clothes washers have sophisticated wash systems that use a variety of methods to lift and tumble your laundry, lengthening the life of often-washed items. Additionally, because they are so gentle, many models can safely clean silk, wool, and other hand-washables.
• Take time out.  Without a bulky agitator, there is more usable space in the washer for laundry — especially larger items like comforters. More capacity means fewer loads of laundry each week. What will you do with your extra time?
• Save the environment.  About 60% percent of U.S. electricity is generated by burning coal and natural gas, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use less energy and help us reduce our impact on the environment. By reducing water consumption, they also put less strain on limited water resources. Learn more about other ways to save water with EPA’s WaterSense.

For even more energy efficiency look for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient.

Products that are recognized as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient deliver cutting edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation. They represent the very best for energy savings and environmental protection. Find Most Efficient washers here. 

Tips for reducing the amount of energy your clothes washer uses:

• Wash full loads only.  If you must wash a partial load, reduce the level of water appropriately and reduce drying time as needed. Many newer models do this automatically.
• Follow detergent instructions carefully.  Using too much soap makes the washing machine motor work harder.
• Wash in cold water.  Water heating consumes about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer. Unless you're dealing with oily stains, washing in cold water will generally do a good job of cleaning. * Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut energy use in half. Using the cold cycle reduces energy use even more.
• Use a drying rack or hang clothes outside.  Where and when possible, air-drying clothes instead of using a dryer not only saves energy, but also helps them last longer.
• Avoid the sanitary cycle.  This super-hot cycle, available on some models, increases energy use significantly. Only use it when necessary to avoid using extra energy to heat the water.
• Activate the high spin speed option.  If your clothes washer has spin options, choose a high spin speed or the extended spin option when appropriate to reduce the amount of remaining moisture in your clothes after washing. This decreases the amount of time it takes to dry your clothes.
• Leave the door open after use. Front-loading washers use airtight seals to prevent water from leaking while the machine is in use. When the machine is not in use, this seal can trap moisture in the machine and lead to mold. Leave the door ajar for an hour or two after use to allow moisture to evaporate. Make sure children do not climb into the machine while the door is open.
• Follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions. Some manufacturers recommend rinsing the washer each month by running a normal cycle with 1 cup of bleach and wiping down the compartments to help reduce the risk of mold or mildew buildup. Consult the product owner's manual and review other recommendations for regular maintenance.

CLOTHES DRYER

Eligibility for Energy Star $50 rebate:

• This offer is only open to Massachusetts residential electric customers of Cape Light Compact JPE, Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil.
• Limit one clothes dryer rebate per account, per calendar year.
• The rebate is good for purchases made from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. 
• Applications for 2023 rebates and all necessary materials must be postmarked or submitted online by January 31, 2024.

Get the most efficiency from your ENERGY STAR certified dryer by considering the following:

• Sensors to Detect When Clothes Are Dry - ENERGY STAR clothes dryers save energy by using automatic termination to help detect when your clothes are dry. This feature also prevents wear and tear on your clothes from over-drying. 
• Low Heat Setting - ENERGY STAR clothes dryers use lower temperatures than standard clothes dryers, generally. When purchasing an ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryer, look for the cycle that uses the least amount of energy, sometimes known as the "energy-saving" selection.
• Savings by the pair. A full-size electric certified dryer saves approximately $190 in energy bills over the life of the product. An ENERGY STAR certified washer/dryer pair will save even more energy and money while doing your laundry. Clothes washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR incorporate advanced technology and functionality to get significantly more water out of your clothes in its final spin cycle than a conventional model.  Paired clothes dryers can optimize cycles to avoid over-drying, save energy, and reduce wear and tear on your clothes. 
• Load washers and dryers to capacity, but don't overload. Overloading can cut down on efficiency. 
• Don't over dry your clothes. If your dryer has a moisture sensor that will automatically turn the machine off when clothes are done, use it to avoid over drying. If you don't have this feature, try to match the cycle length to the size and weight of the load.
• Clean the lint filter.Clean the lint filter after every load to improve air circulation and increase the efficiency of the dryer. This is also an important safety measure.
• Scrub the lint filter regularly if you use dryer sheets.Dryer sheets can leave a film on the filter that reduces air flow and, over time, can affect the performance of the motor. Use a toothbrush to scrub it clean once a month.

DISHWASHER

Tips for reducing the amount of energy used by your dishwasher:

• Scrape dishes instead of rinsing them before loading them in the dishwasher. 
• Many dishwashers offer different wash cycles to accommodate dishes with heavy soil levels, such as pots and pans. Use less water for regular dishes to save. 
• Run your dishwasher with a full load and use the air-dry or “no heat” option to save on electricity.
• If you wash dishes by hand, fill wash and rinse basins instead of letting the water run.

ENERGYSTAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions that improve air quality and protect the climate. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped save American families and businesses nearly 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity and achieve over 3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, equivalent to the annual emissions of over 600 million cars. In 2017 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped Americans avoid $30 billion in energy costs.  

Steps to Take

Go to the: Energy Star website and search for the kind of appliance or equipment you need.  Then click on:

• Buying Guidance for how to buy an energy efficient replacement.
• “Product finder” to find models.
• Rebate Finder
• Savings Tips
• For refrigerators use the Calculator  - to find out how much your old refrigerator or freezer costs to operate and how much you can save by flipping it to ENERGY STAR.