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Today's average refrigerator uses less energy than a continually lit 60-watt lightbulb.
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Newer, more efficient washing machines save energy by using less water.
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If your dishwasher was built before 1994, you could be paying an extra $40 a year on your utility bill compared to neighbors with a newer, Energy Star-rated model.
Trying to convince your spouse that it’s time to update those old appliances? Here’s an argument that’s hard to beat—newer appliances, at least those with the Energy Star label, can actually save you money in the long run.
If it’s been a while since you last purchased a major appliance, consider conducting a room-by-room search for ways to pull the plug on energy-guzzling devices.
In the laundry room: Newer, more efficient washing machines save energy by using (and therefore heating) less water. A full-sized Energy Star-certified washer uses 15 gallons of water per load, compared to the 23 gallons used by a standard machine. During the machine’s lifetime, you save 27,000 gallons of water.
In the kitchen: Today’s average refrigerator uses less energy than a continually lit 60-watt lightbulb. Replace your “classic” refrigerator with a new Energy Star-certified model and save between $200 and $1,100 in lifetime energy costs. Just resist the urge to move the old refrigerator to the basement or the garage, or you won’t save a dime.
Was your dishwasher built before 1994? If so, you’re paying an extra $40 a year on your utility bills compared to neighbors with a newer, Energy Star-rated model.
In the living room: When it comes to televisions, energy consumption increases with screen size, but even monster TVs can offer savings. LED screens use less energy than comparable LCD models, and regardless of the technology you choose, an Energy Star-rated model will be 25 percent more efficient overall. Once you purchase a TV, calibrate it by adjusting the contrast and brightness to a moderate level. By default, new televisions are set to dynamic, high-contrast settings. This consumes more power than standard, lower-contrast settings.
For more tips on how to save energy, visit togetherwesave.com.
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Smarter settings
Attached to your old appliances? You can still save energy with a few small adjustments.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees, and be sure appliances like clothes washers and dishwashers are full when you run them.
- Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37 to 40 degrees for the fresh food compartment and 5 degrees for the freezer section.
- Use toaster ovens or microwave ovens for small meals. They use less energy than a traditional kitchen oven.
Sources: Energy Star, Consumer Electronics Association, Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers, U.S. Department of Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council