Utility bills could jump as much
as 50% this winter. But if you're shopping for appliances, you can lessen
the blow with energy-efficient technologies. Look for the blue-and-white
Energy Star label given to units that use less energy than government
guidelines suggest. Although the savings from any one appliance won't seem
like much, when you add them up over the machine's life (often 10 to 15
years), they can defray a big chunk of the purchase price.
Refrigerators. Your kitchen's biggest energy drain just
got more efficient. Energy Star models use 40% less energy than conventional
machines sold as recently as 2001. Look for ones with compressors that run
at more than one speed so they don't use high energy levels unless it's
necessary.
Washers. Energy Star front- and top-loading washers use
50% less energy than standard models, saving up to $110 a year. Check out
the Modified Energy Factor (MEF) at the Energy Star website (energystar.gov).
The higher the number, the less energy per load. Whirlpool's new
top-performing Duet washer saves energy and water (more than 12,000 gallons
a year).
Dishwashers. Use 25% less energy than standard machines.
Replace a pre-1994 model to save more than $25 a year. New two-compartment
units, like KitchenAid's Drawer (from $1,299), save even more because you
can run small loads in one compartment instead of running the whole machine.
