If you’re in the market for new home appliances, you’ll undoubtedly have several energy efficient options to consider. From savings on your utility bill to greening the environment, discover five benefits of purchasing energy efficient appliances for your home.
Save Money on Utility Bills
Buying new home appliances isn’t always as affordable as you’d like it to be. If you’ve been planning for a new TV or clothes washer, you may already have extra funds built into your budget. But if you unexpectedly have to replace an essential appliance like a refrigerator or an air conditioner, the unplanned cost can be a serious setback for your family.
If price is a concern, you’ll be relieved to know that virtually all energy efficient appliances offer substantial savings. You may pay a little more up front, but you’ll save every time you use your new appliances. According to the Alliance to Save Energy, using Energy Star-certified appliances means you’ll save up to 30 percent on your electricity bills every year. Look over your last 12 utility bills, and you can easily add up the savings for your home.
Keep in mind that some appliances will make a bigger impact than others on your overall savings. For instance, air conditioners and heat pumps are some of the biggest contributors to your electricity bill, but buying an energy efficient water heater and clothes dryer will also decrease your utility costs.
Boost the Resale Value
Whether you change jobs, grow your family, or simply pursue opportunities in another area, most homeowners don’t stay in the same home forever. If you’re planning to move in the next few years, however, you might wonder whether upgrading to energy efficient appliances is actually worth the cost or the extra research.
No matter how long you plan to stay in your current home, the good news is that investing in energy efficient appliances is almost always worthwhile. Many prospective homebuyers search for new homes with energy efficient upgrades and new Energy Star appliances, since they may not want to spend the extra time or money to replace old appliances themselves. If your home already has these components in place, you could make it a more appealing place to live while boosting your home’s resale value. This gives both your family and any future homebuyers an advantage.
Lower Your Family’s Environmental Impact
In addition to financial savings, energy efficient appliances also lower your family’s environmental impact. Even though you’re just one household, you can help make a big change in the nation’s carbon footprint.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can reduce your family’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 130,000 pounds over the lifetime of your efficient appliances. In just over two decades, the Energy Star program has helped homeowners lower emissions by a whopping 2.4 billion metric tons.
Since there are dozens of types of energy efficient appliances, from home lighting to heating and cooling equipment, you can reduce your energy needs in just about every room of the home. If you aren’t sure where to start, try using the EPA’s Household Carbon Footprint Calculator to find areas of your home and appliances that need the most improvement.
Samsung ENERGY STAR® 28 cu. ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with Food Showcase Design
Treat Yourself to New Technology
As appliances age, not only do they experience more frequent breakdowns and malfunctions, but they also become outdated. Rather than trying to extend inefficient old appliances’ lifespans, however, treat yourself to new technology instead. Since many of the most high-tech appliances are also designed to use less energy, you can look forward to getting the latest bells and whistles when you buy Energy Star appliances.
For instance, new Energy Star washers are designed to get your clothes cleaner than ever before, and they offer a wide range of options so you can give your family’s wardrobe exactly the level of care it needs. These appliances also use a quarter less energy and almost half as much water as standard models. You’ll see similar results in the kitchen, as Energy Star refrigerators use about half as much energy as 15-year-old models and efficient dishwashers use about 12 percent less energy.
Improve Your Family’s Quality of Life
Outdated appliances just don’t have the level of functionality that newer models do, and older electronics can be much harder to use. Not only can this be frustrating for your family, but it can also make old appliances even less efficient to use.
In contrast, most new energy efficient appliances are designed to be incredibly convenient to use. For example, Energy Star clothes washers and dryers tend to allow you to wash larger loads in less time. That means you can take care of household chores much more quickly, freeing up more time for your family to have fun and spend time together. Energy Star refrigerators often preserve your food longer and keep it fresher. That means fewer trips to the supermarket and more opportunities to make homemade meals for the family.
In addition, new Energy Star appliances typically need less maintenance and fewer repairs than standard models do. That means you can spend less time tinkering with appliances or scheduling emergency repair sessions and more time enjoying life.
Whether you’re shopping for a refrigerator, a TV, or a washer and dryer, there’s no reason to purchase an energy hog. Invest in new Energy Star technology, and save on utility costs every month when you opt for energy efficient appliances.
