HELP
Climate change is a real and urgent challenge
affecting people and the environment worldwide.
Human activities such as electricity production
and transportation add significant amounts
of carbon pollution to the atmosphere. This
carbon pollution, along with other greenhouse
gases, is the primary cause of most of the global
temperature rise observed over the past 50 years.
Global warming has already led to rising sea
levels, melting glaciers, and shifting rainfall
patterns, among other changes. Unchecked
carbon pollution can lead to long-lasting changes
in our climate that threaten human health,
society, and ecosystems. To learn more about
climate change and what you can do to reduce
its impacts, visit epa.gov/climatechange.
DO YOUR PART
Choosing energy-efficient products and
practicing simple energy saving measures
reduces the amount of carbon pollution added
to the atmosphere. EPA's ENERGY STAR program
offers tips and product information to help you
do your part in protecting your family and your
community from the effects of climate change
now and in the future.
If every appliance purchased in the United
States this year were ENERGY STAR certified,
we would prevent greenhouse gas emissions
equal to those from 215,000 cars—and save $360
million in annual energy costs.
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WHAT IS ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a widely recognized and
trusted label on products that meet strict
energy-efficiency requirements set by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ENERGY STAR certified products are third-party
certified and subject to ongoing verification
testing.
Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR
help you save energy and money without
sacrificing performance. By using less energy,
these products also help reduce greenhouse
gas emissions that contribute to climate
change.
Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found
on more than 65 different kinds of products
found in our homes and workplaces including
lighting, appliances, office equipment,
consumer electronics, and heating and cooling
equipment. Energy-efficient new and renovated
homes, as well as schools, government
buildings, and commercial and industrial
buildings also can earn the ENERGY STAR.
Learn more at energystar.gov
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR
CERTIFIED APPLIANCES
When purchasing appliances, remember there are two price tags: what
you pay at the register and what you pay in energy and water costs to
operate them. By incorporating advanced technologies and premium
features, ENERGY STAR certified appliances help offset initial costs
through energy savings over the life of the unit.
Certified appliances often feature the ENERGY STAR mark directly on
the yellow EnergyGuide label. The EnergyGuide indicates how much
energy is used to operate each appliance and provides an energy scale
for you to compare products. It also lists approximate annual operating
costs. Your exact costs will depend on local utility rates and types and
sources of energy.
REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS
Improvements in insulation and compressors ensure that today's
refrigerators and freezers use much less energy than older models.
A new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator is about 15 percent more
energy efficient than the minimum federal standard for refrigerators
and can cost you about $50 a year to run, on average. A typical ENERGY
STAR certified refrigerator uses less energy than a 60-watt light bulb.
An ENERGY STAR certified freezer uses 10 percent less energy than a
DEHUMIDIFIERS
A standard dehumidifier running constantly uses more energy than a
refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher combined. An ENERGY
STAR certified dehumidifier removes the same amount of moisture as a
similarly sized standard unit, but uses 15 percent less energy because
it has more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors, and fans. An
average ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier can save you about $175
over the life of the unit—enough to pay for the dehumidifier.
ROOM AIR CLEANERS AND PURIFIERS
Room air cleaners and purifiers help remove fine particles, such as dust
and pollen, from indoor air. ENERGY STAR certified room air cleaners
are 40 percent more energy-efficient than standard models, saving you
$25 annually on your utility bills. These savings could add up to more
than $200 over the life of the air purifier.
DISHWASHERS
New ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers, on average, are 10 percent
more energy efficient and 20 percent more water efficient than
standard models, costing less than $35 annually to run, while saving
on average, 1,900 gallons of water over its lifetime. Using advanced
technology such as soil sensors, improved water filtration, more
efficient jets, and innovative dish rack designs, your dishes get clean
while using less water and energy.
CLOTHES WASHERS
The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each
year. An ENERGY STAR certified clothes washer can cut your energy
costs by about a third and your water costs by more than half. Choose
from top-loading or front-loading models that have greater capacity
than standard models, which means you can run fewer loads to clean
the same amount of laundry. Efficient motors spin clothes faster during
the spin cycle to extract more water, meaning less energy use for drying
BENEFITS OF ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED APPLIANCES
Consider these benefits and energy-saving tips when replacing
old appliances with ENERGY STAR certified models:
Efficient Refrigerators - Reduce the amount of energy your
refrigerator uses by following these tips:
• Set the appropriate temperature. Keep your refrigerator at 35
to 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place your fridge in a cool place. Position your refrigerator
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, and keep the
condenser coils clean if you have an older model. Read the
user's manual to learn howto safely clean coils. Coil cleaning
brushes can be purchased at most hardware stores.
• Checkthe door seals. Make sure the refrigerator seals
around the door are airtight. If not, replace them.
• Keep the door closed. Minimize the amount of time the
refrigerator door is open.
About a quarter of U.S. households have a second refrigerator.
If you have an older refrigerator in your basement or garage, it
could be costing you more than $300 each year to run it. Many
appliance retailers will pick up and recycle your old fridge or
freezer when you purchase a new one. Ask your retailer for
assurance thatthe old unit will be properly recycled and not
resold as an inefficient, second-hand unit.
Smart Dishwashers- ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers have
"smart" features that minimize water use and demand on the
water heater, and allow for quieter operation and less pre-
rinsing. Construction includes more effective washing action,
energy-efficient motors, and other advanced technology, such
as sensors that determine the length of the wash cycle and the
temperature of the water necessary to clean the dishes. When
shopping for a new dishwasher, consider how much water the
dishwasher uses per cycle—less water means less cost to
operate. To save even more energy, avoid using the heated dry
cycle. Instead, let your dishes air dry.
Advanced Clothes Washer Technology- ENERGY STAR certified
clothes washers incorporate high-quality features for improved
performance. Gentler operation, more thorough rinsing, and the
removal of more water in the spin cycle make washing clothes
more convenient and help protect your clothing investment.
Front-loading machines feature washtubs that move clothes
horizontally, similar to clothes dryers. Top-loading ENERGY STAR
certified clothes washers use sensortechnologyto control water
temperature and volume, and then use high-pressure spray
rinses to remove soap from clothes.
Water heating consumes about 90 percent of the energy used 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.
Energy-Efficient Dehumidifiers - Dehumidifiers reduce the
amount of moisture in the air and have become popular
appliances in homes across the United States, particularly those
with basements. Reduced moisture contributes to a healthy home
environment by preventing mold, mildew, and odor. Dehumidifiers
tend to get more efficient as they get larger. If you are unsure
about what size to buy, choose the larger model that comes with
an adjustable humidity control.
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