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4.5 ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES

Generally new appliances are much more energy efficient than older appliances. When you are faced with the choice of repairing or buying one, look into the yearly energy costs of a new one. You may find that the newer appliance will more than pay for itself.

Comparison shop with care. Many units are required by law to have a yearly energy cost estimate posted for comparison. The energy to run an appliance for ten years will cost much more than the purchase price.

Some energy saving features are a good deal. For example, a hot water booster heater in a dishwasher will cost extra, but it will allow you to lower the thermostat on your hot water heater saving you hundreds of dollars. Also there can be $1000s (!) difference in the total life cycle costs of two hot water heaters.

Since we recently had to replace a number of appliances, here are some energy saving examples from my own life: The new washing machine spins the clothes better so that they require less drying time. The new hot water heater uses a lot less electricity than the older one. Our new electronic gas stove not only saves us money on gas to run the pilots (about 30% less), but it heats and bakes food more efficiently and our kitchen is cooler. Even the new toilet uses half as much water as the former one.

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