Saving on Lighting and Appliances

According to the US Energy Information Administration, our lighting and appliances account for 26% of our home energy bill. http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=us_energy_homes. By taking a closer look at the light bulbs and appliances we use and replacing them as necessary, we can achieve better water conservancy, less pollution, and save money.

With respect to lighting and appliances in the US, the key phrase to remember is Energy Star. Energy Star is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE), agencies that teamed up to promote more energy efficient products and practices.

Starting with lighting, Energy Star recommends compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). CFLs are long-lasting light bulbs that save about $30 over their lifetime and pays for itself in about 6 months. This is because CFLs use about 75% less energy and last about 10 times longer than an incandescent light bulb. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls. Incandescent light bulbs, which waste a lot of energy by emitting heat rather than light, should be dutifully replaced.

Still not convinced? According to Energy Star, “if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than $800,000 cars.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls (CFL Savings Facts and Figures).

As for appliances—including stoves, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washers and dryers—the suggested rule is to replace any appliance that is (a) was manufactured before 2001, (b) not working efficiently anymore, or (c) cannot be repaired. http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2009/01/rules-of-thumb-on-when-to-replace-old-appliances.html.

When looking for a good replacement, check out Energy Star-certified models. Models that are certified by Energy Star use 10 to 50% less energy and water than federal standards require, and are generally 75% more efficient than models made 30 years ago. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=appliances.pr_appliances. The Energy Guide label (associated with Energy Star certification) on an appliance makes you an instantly smart shopper. It gives you key figures on how much energy the appliance uses, how it compares with other models, and approximate annual energy costs of using the appliance.

What to do with the appliance you replace? If it still works, consider giving it away on Craigslist or Freecycle. If it cannot be repaired or is too old, check to see if there is an appliance recycling program. Some recycling programs will even pick up your appliance curbside.