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Energy Efficient Appliance

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No modern home could function in the way it does without its appliances. Washing machines, refrigerators and home entertainment systems buzz day and night, down every street, pushing the electricity grid to its limits.

Home entertainment systems can be deceptively inefficient appliances. This is due to the ingenious invention of the stand-by. Even when the television is not transmitting, if you look closer you will notice a white or blue light in the corner; this means electricity is still being used. You can look at your DVD player and although the latest blockbuster is not spinning, the clock may still be functioning and the same applies to a microwave. Even computers, although appearing to be turned off, may still have the speakers plugged in. Stand-by is the silent drain on your electricity bill.

The refrigerator is anything but an energy efficient appliance. This is because of its constant use. But there have been improvements. Over the last three decades the efficiency of freezers and refrigerators have dramatically improved. A typical fridge/freezer unit will consume half the energy of a 1990’s model. So if your appliance is old or in need of repair, it makes good financial and ecological sense to upgrade.

A washing machine uses a lot of energy and most of this is used to heat the water, and there have been advances in water management to make washing machines more energy efficient appliances. Conventional washing machine use 40 gallons of water in the complete cycle. Modern energy efficient machines have controls to adjust the amount of water depending on the size of the load. Front loading washing machines are a new breed of energy efficient appliance. A normal washing machine will spin on a vertical-axis whereas a front-loading washing machine will spin on a horizontal-axis. This means the machine will not completely fill up with water. Recent front-loading washing machine designs also incorporate spray to wet the clothes making them even more energy efficient.

The government is takes steps in making energy efficient appliances more attractive to the consumer and the manufacturer. Tax credits and rebates are available for the purchase of new energy efficient appliances. They vary depending on territory and state. Information on what is available to you in your area is easy to find and each state publishes its own state rebate forms. Most rebates range from $50 to $500, depending on the purchase price and other factors. Many areas also offer incentives for responsible recycling. Tax credits are also available to manufactures of washing machines and dishwashers. These include a $200 rebate on refrigerators that use 35% less energy than the federal standard. It is advisable to contact your government before purchasing a new energy efficient appliance, so that you know exactly what is available.

When purchasing a new energy efficient appliance it is advisable to chose an ENERGY STAR endorsed appliance.
ENERGY STAR is a program organized by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S Department of Energy. Seeing the ENERGY STAR sticker on a household item can guarantee that it will be the best possible energy efficient appliance. Also seeing the ENERGY STAR logo on your appliance means that it is eligible for the rebates available in your area.

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