Appliances can be some of the biggest energy hogs in the home. Opting for ENERGY STAR® certified appliances for your next upgrade can make a massive difference. They run more efficiently, which saves energy and money on electricity costs, but the benefits of having an ENERGY STAR certified appliance run even deeper than that.
What are ENERGY STAR certified appliances?
ENERGY STAR is recognized as a trusted label. It confirms that the product has been evaluated and tested to meet strict specifications for energy efficiency. The specifications are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and certifications are performed by a third-party entity. Products that meet the specifications to receive an ENERGY STAR label are also subject to ongoing verification testing to ensure they still meet the specifications. They are also confirmed to work as well, if not better, than other products: there’s no sacrifice in performance.
The verification process differs depending on the type of product. A refrigerator, for example, has to be at least 15 percent more efficient than the minimum standard to meet the specifications. ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs have to use two-thirds less energy than a standard incandescent one.
Any appliance that meets the ENERGY STAR specifications and has gone through the certification process will have the ENERGY STAR label on it to indicate as such. The seller, like the Best Buy website and stores, will also note this in the descriptions.
In addition, each year, ENERGY STAR awards a Most Efficient designation to a small selection of products. These rank among the top energy performers in their respective categories.
Why should you switch to ENERGY STAR certified appliances?
According to Natural Resources Canada, household appliances accounted for up to 14.4% of the energy used in the average home in Canada in 2019. That’s behind only space heating and water heating. There are tons of benefits to switching to ENERGY STAR certified appliances, even beyond the most obvious ones.
Save money
If you have been seeing your utility bills rise, beyond overall rising costs, an energy hogging appliance or two could have something to do with it. Switching to an energy efficient appliance, particularly one that meets the ENERGY STAR specifications, can help you lower your energy bills.
It stands to reason that if appliances are using less energy, your total count at the end of the month or billing period will be less. It’s the same principle as if you keep lights turned off or down low when no one is in the room, or don’t run entertainment devices like speakers and TVs as often.
Some provinces and cities also offer tax credits and other incentives when you use energy efficient appliances within the home. Look into this and, depending on where you live, switching could see you get a rebate, tax credit, discount, or money back in some form.
Reduce energy usage
As an environmental benefit, you’ll use less energy overall with an energy efficient appliance. By definition, they run more efficiently.
An energy efficient refrigerator doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your food cold or frozen while a dishwasher or washing machine can do things like sense how soiled items are and adjust the water levels. Some even have specific cycles to ensure they’re making the most efficient use of resources, like water.
With a dryer, some energy efficient models have features like the ability to dry for longer at a lower heat.
Keep food fresher, longer
An energy efficient appliance like your refrigerator doesn’t have to run into overdrive to keep food sufficiently cool. This can happen if you leave the door open for a long time while loading groceries, for example. The fridge then has to compensate once you close the door. Energy efficiency means it can go from cooler to cold quickly without using as much energy. Your food, in turn, stays fresher, longer.
What types of ENERGY STAR certified appliances can you buy?
ENERGY STAR certified products are available in different product categories. Many of these fall into the realm of appliances. These include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, and others, all available at Best Buy. However, you can also find ENERGY STAR certified TVs, laptops, and lamps, for example. Make sure to read this article to learn more about the types of ENERGY STAR certified products available.
Additional features you might find in energy efficient appliances
Energy efficient refrigerators that have the ENERGY STAR logo consume less power overall, as noted. They often also include other features that contribute to energy efficiency, like dual-controlled crispers that help keep fruits and vegetables at the optimal temperature so they don’t spoil as quickly. Door-in-door designs also have an energy efficiency benefit since you don’t need to open the main interior to get frequently accessed items like milk, juice, and condiments. The same goes for fridges that have a fifth middle drawer that can house items you often grab for, like deli meats and cheese.
When it comes to energy efficient washers and dryers, they have additional features that contribute to energy efficiency, too. Dryers have features like intelligent shut-off once it senses the clothing is dry instead of continuing to run until the timer is done. Washing machines, meanwhile, have special eco-friendly settings, like cold water wash and using less water for small loads. Dishwashers similarly have eco modes that can use cooler temperature water when needed, like if you’re only washing glasses on the top rack.
You can get energy efficient small appliances, too. These will not feature the ENERGY STAR label and certification, but, just by using certain small appliances, you can reduce your energy usage in the home. Heating up food in a toaster oven or Instant Pot, for example, will use less energy than pre-heating and running the oven for just a single-serving meal. (Which can also heat the home more, causing you to crank the air conditioning in the summer.)
It’s time to go ENERGY STAR
Investing in ENERGY STAR certified appliances can help you save energy, money, and reduce your carbon footprint. Whether you’re looking for a new fridge, washing machine, or refrigerator, check out a wide selection of ENERGY STAR certified appliances at Best Buy.
