How to Shop for an Energy-Efficient Appliance
Buying a major appliance can take a big bite out of your savings, making it tempting to choose the lowest-priced item possible. However, the true cost of owning a home appliance is actually based on three components: the initial purchase price, the cost of repairs and maintenance, and the cost to operate it. So don’t make your selection based on the price tag alone – it could end up costing you more in the long run.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the appliance with the lowest initial purchase price, or even the one with the best repair record, isn’t necessarily the one that costs the least to operate. You can learn about the energy efficiency of an appliance that you’re thinking about buying through the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label it displays. The FTC’s Appliance Labeling Rule requires appliance manufacturers to put these labels on:
- Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers
- Water heaters, furnaces, boilers
- Central air conditioners, room air conditioners, heat pumps
- Pool heaters
When you shop for one of these appliances in a dealer’s showroom, you should find the labels hanging on the inside of an appliance or secured to the outside. The law requires that the labels specify:
- The capacity of the particular model
- For refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and water heaters, the estimated annual energy consumption of the model
- For air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and pool heaters, the energy efficiency rating
- The range of estimated annual energy consumption, or energy efficiency ratings, of comparable appliances.
Some appliances may also feature the EnergyStar logo, which means that the appliance is significantly more energy efficient than the average comparable model.
When shopping for an appliance, keep the following in mind:
- Select the size and style. Measure the space the appliance will occupy to be sure your new purchase will fit. Make sure that you’ll have enough room to open the door or lid fully and enough clearance for ventilation.
- Know where to shop. Appliance outlets, electronics stores and local retailers carry different brands and models. Dealers also sell appliances through print catalogs and the Internet.
- Compare. Ask to see the manufacturer’s product literature. Decide which features are important to you. Ask questions about how the different models operate: Are they noisy? What safety features do they have? What about repair histories? How much water do they use? How energy efficient are they?
- Estimate how much the appliance will cost to operate. The more energy an appliance uses, the more it will cost to run. Consult the EnergyGuide label to compare the energy use of different models. The difference on your monthly utility bill can be significant.
- Ask about special energy efficiency offers. Ask your salesperson or local utility about cash rebates, low-interest loans or other incentive programs in your area for energy-efficient product purchases – and how you can qualify.