Energy Guide labels
If you live in a typical U.S. home, the appliances are responsible for more than one-third of your energy bill. Electric appliances like refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges and ovens are the primary energy-using appliances in most households. Taking steps to save energy while using these appliances, and replacing old, inefficient appliances with modern ones, can save money.
In the United States, all refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dishwashers are sold with Energy Guide labels to indicate their energy efficiency rating. These labels provide an estimated annual operating cost for the appliance, and also indicate the cost of operating the models with the highest-annual operating cost and the lowest-annual operating cost. By comparing a model's annual operating cost with the operating cost of the most efficient model, you can compare their efficiencies.
Energy Star labels
Another label to help you identify energy-efficient appliances is the Energy Star label. Promoted by the Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star is only awarded to appliances and lighting products that significantly exceed the minimum national efficiency standards.
The Energy Star label can help make purchasing decisions easier. These products save energy and money, and frequently perform better.
