On the look out for energy efficient appliances? Learn what features make appliances the most efficient and some important guidelines for buying these energy efficient appliances. To read the full article visit http://www.accent.chubb.com/guide-energy-efficient-appliances. For more articles on energy efficient technology visit http://www.accent.chubb.com/technology.

1. A Guide to Energy-Efficient Appliances
What features and energy savings to expect.
If you’re in the market for more energy-efficient appliances, get to know what all
those ENERGY STAR and other labels mean.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its criteria for ENERGY
STAR products in order to meet its “Most Efficient” labeling for 2015. Each year,
the EPA and the Department of Energy honor organizations and products that help
protect the environment through energy efficiency. Some of the criteria include a
56 percent energy savings for televisions above the federal standard; 28 percent
energy and 30 percent water savings for clothes washers; and 22 percent energy
and 36 percent water savings for dishwashers—significant savings above standard
or unrated products.
Since 1980, EnergyGuide labels have been helping consumers choose to conserve
natural resources, as well as lower their home utility bills. Labels don’t appear on
all appliances, but the Federal Trade Commission requires their placement on any
new product from refrigerators and dishwashers to central air conditioners and
lighting. (Here is a good guide on how to read EnergyGuide labels).
And as home appliance makers have made technological advancements, ENERGY
STAR is actually adding categories. For instance, clothing dryers were not eligible
for an ENERGY STAR rating until 2014. That’s when LG introduced an electric
dryer that combines conventional vented drying with a heat pump that recycles

2. heat generated during drying, which the company says will save about 50 percent
of what the most efficient dryers currently use. The company also introduced six
new gas dryers that qualify for the ENERGY STAR program by using a sensor that
measures the moisture and humidity levels during the cycle and automatically
adjusts the drying time. As always, you can find the most efficient-rated products
on the ENERGY STAR website. But here are guidelines for buying some appliances.
Ovens
In fact, new ovens and stovetops aren’t rated by ENERGY STAR, nor do they carry
EnergyGuide labels since they have no federal energy regulations. According to the
California Energy Commission, you should look for features that are more efficient.
Burners that use induction elements are the most energy efficient, using 90
percent of the energy created for cooking. By comparison, a gas burner typically
uses 55 percent, and a standard electric range uses 65 percent. Self-cleaning ovens
have more insulation than standard ovens and retain heat better, using less
energy. And convection ovens, which use a fan to circulate heat to distribute it
evenly, allow you to reduce cooking time and cut energy use by about a third.
Refrigerators
Aside from looking at ratings, consider the type of configuration your refrigerator
will have. On average, a refrigerator uses 13.7 percent of a home’s energy, the
biggest energy user besides an air conditioner, which uses 16 percent. ENERGY
STAR splits refrigerators and freezers into five rating categories, but the most
efficient side-by-side model with an ice dispenser may still use more power than a
model with the freezer on top. Read the label, which estimates the number of
kilowatt hours per year and compare that number with the expected use of other
models.
Clothing washers
Today’s ENERGY STAR washers can use as few as 14 gallons per wash, in
comparison to 40 gallons for older top-loading machines. In fact, ENERGY STAR
has reported that washers made before 1998 cost $2.6 billion each year in energy
and water. The government tracks clothing washers tightly, so you can expect
ENERGY STAR washing machines to use up to 50 percent less energy than other
models. Plus they have greater tub capacity, which means you can use fewer loads
to clean the same amount of laundry.
To make the most of your high-efficiency washer, manufacturers recommend using
detergents with an “HE” label for high-efficiency washers, which produce fewer
suds than normal detergents. Too many suds can actually confuse a newer
machine’s washing cycles, making it difficult to properly rinse clothes.
Buying the right energy-efficient appliance takes a bit of research, but it’s well
worth it in terms of energy savings.