Energy Efficiency – Home Appliances

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Though often taken for granted, home appliances exist to allow us to operate more efficiently on a day-to-day basis. And, though not critical to our well-being, they definitely save us time and labor, but questionable as to whether they save us money. Even those refrigerators, microwaves and dishwashers that come with energy and money-saving features need to be operated properly if one is to attain any monetary benefits.

Energy Efficiency in General

In purchasing a new appliance, the consumer needs to understand that there are actually two price tags:

Actual purchase price
Projected price of operation

ENERGY STAR Label

An appliance purchased at rock bottom price may well be a huge consumer of energy with a high electric bill, where as one that is fairly expensive to purchase may be more energy efficient, and could well pay for itself within a relatively short period of time. So, a key criterion in selecting a specific appliance is its efficiency.

Typically, this can be gleaned from the yellow and black EnergyGuide label that is affixed to the front of the appliance in accordance with Federal Trade Commission law. It states the appliance’s estimated annual energy usage, it’s capacity the efficiency ratings of comparable models.
Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the ENERGY STAR program, which identifies the more significantly energy efficient appliances. Appliances so classified use less energy and reduce emissions. According to the EPA, products that were certified to meet ENERGY STAR requirements saved consumers $17 billion on their utility bill.

Energy Efficiency among Specific Appliances

The following discussion provides insights regarding average energy consumption and related costs, and some energy saving tips in terms of design and operation:

Refrigerator: The refrigerator is among the highest energy users in a typical home, using between 1,000 and 1,500 kWh per year and operating at an average cost of $90 per year. As a point of comparison, the older models can cost upwards of $250 per year to operate. In selecting a refrigerator, models with the freezer on the top or bottom tend to be more efficient that the side-by-side models and a refrigerator with an “energy saver” switch allow the homeowner to turn down the heating coils. Optimal temperature settings in terms of energy efficiency range between 35 and 38 degrees F.
Washing Machine. Washing machines use around 800 kWh per year at an average annual cost of $75. Front loader machines tend to be more efficient that top loaders, but there are advantages and drawbacks to each configuration. The key items to look for include:

- Control of temperature. Cold water consumes less energy without compromise cleaning effectiveness.

- Control of water level. By being able to adjust the water level, one can wash smaller loads. Otherwise, the most efficient operation of a washer requires a full machine. In either case, one should not use too much detergent as it will tend to make the machine use more energy.

Dryer. One can assume that a dryer uses the same amount of energy and incurs operating costs similar to a washing machine. Since dryers operate similarly across various makes and models and there is little, if any, variance in energy usage, they are not tracked by the ENERGY STAR program. That said, there are differences between gas and electric dryers, and there are some operational features to consider:

- Gas dryers are more expensive to purchase but less expensive to operate.

- Moisture sensors in the drum will allow the dryer to automatically shut off when the clothes are dry, obviously saving energy.

- The “cool down” period capability provides for cooler air to finish the drying of clothes, reducing the use of heat throughout the entire cycle.

And, for safety and efficiency reasons, users should be sure to clean lint filters regularly.

Dishwasher. Typically, dishwashers consume around 600 kWh per year at an annual cost of $50. Interesting to note, dishwashers actually use less water for one load of dishes than if they are washed by hand, assuming they are run efficiently. This implies a full dishwasher, use of “air dry” instead of “heat dry” capability, and use of specific energy saving cycles like “short wash” when appropriate. Location within the kitchen is also important as installing a dishwasher next to the refrigerator will make the refrigerator work harder to remain cool.