Three Reasons to Buy Energy Star Refrigerators
Refrigerator technology has come a long way in the last decade. Thanks to more efficient insulation and compressors, refrigerators today consume far less energy than they used to. The rating system used to measure energy efficiency for new appliances is called the Energy Star label. An Energy Star rating is earned by a refrigerator that consumes 20% less power than the federal government’s minimum standards for energy efficiency. That means it will operate at least 20% more efficiently than a non-certified refrigerator.
But having an Energy Star label doesn’t mean that a refrigerator is lacking in useful features. As an example, a Samsung refrigerator’s energy consumption qualifies for the Energy Star label, yet it still offers a wide selection of advanced features. Today’s refrigerator manufacturers have adopted a better strategy to make money, which is to maximize energy efficiency of every model that they sell.
What are three reasons to buy an Energy Star refrigerator?
1) To save big-time on your utility bills. You are likely to save $165 or more, over your refrigerator’s lifetime, by selecting a model with the energy Star rating.
2) Replacing an inefficient fridge. While a refrigerator from the 1980s might still function, it will cost you more than $100 per year in extra electricity costs. Replace it with a new Energy Star model for extra savings.
3) Protecting the environment. Fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas are burned to generate more than 70% of all electricity used in the United States. By using less electricity, we will need to burn less fossil fuel that damages the environment.
To reduce the amount of electricity used by your refrigerator even more, here’s another helpful hint from One Great Earth. Consider getting a top-mounted freezer. Having the freezer located on top allows a refrigerator operate more efficiently. A top-mounted freezer will use 10 to 25% less electricity than a bottom-mounted one, or a side-by-side unit.
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Tags: Efficient energy use, Energy Star refrigerator, EnergyStar, Kilowatt hour, top-mounted freezer
