Energy Star Refrigerators Save Money

Frugal Living Introduces Energy Star Refrigerators

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By selecting from a wide range of energy efficient refrigerators to replace your noisy old refrigerator, you could enjoy a cool extra $50 saving a year on your electric bill.

Household appliances are some of the largest energy wasters in our homes except for our children who constantly open the refrigerator door. Replacing worn out appliances saves money in the long haul by using less electricity.

Energy star refrigerators are tested and certified to use the minimum energy to operate. Each type of product has its own guideline for certification. The more energy efficient an appliance is, the higher it is rated. If the refrigerator you are currently using has been around longer than your teenagers, it is time to consider replacing it by choosing a more efficient model from the available line up of energy efficient refrigerators.

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In 1992, the government began the Energy Star Tax Credits program and manufacturers were required to build appliances that met federal guidelines. We are happy to report that refrigerators purchased today are at least 40% more efficient than those made in 2001 are.

* It pays to compare refrigerators even between models that are energy star qualified.

One of the most popular choices of tax credit refrigerators is the Sears Kenmore. Let's do a comparison test between the Kenmore model 7683 and the Kenmore model 4443.

The first unit listed is an 18 cu ft. refrigerator, which has the freezer on top. This unit rates 28% in Energy Star ratings. The second unit being compared is a side-by-side refrigerator that is 23 cu. feet. This appliance rated 23%.

* When shopping for an energy efficient refrigerator, notice many models will have a yellow Energy Guide sticker displayed that shows the energy use. Energy Star certified appliances carry the blue Energy Star emblem.

The Energy Star means you will save energy and money in the long run. An Energy star rating is a minimum standard for energy efficiency. Some manufacturers have models that exceed the accepted standard. First select Energy Star appliances; then compare the energy use between the qualified units.

Energy Star Tax Credits

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There are Energy Star Tax Credits available for home improvements with special offers for purchasing an energy efficient refrigerator as well. Check out our Part 2 for energy star appliance rebates.

To qualify for an energy star certification, manufacturers must meet energy efficiency criteria for that specific appliance judged by the DOE and EPA. The standard for judging is based on the manufacturer making major improvements in energy efficiency compared to earlier models.

For instance, an energy efficient refrigerator can be qualified, but there may be other refrigerators that have even greater efficiency.

Energy Star refrigerators consume a minimum of 20% less energy than current federal standards. The Kenmore Bisque 20.6 cu. ft. with top freezer is a good selection. Energy Star rated, this model has adjustable bins for additional storage requirements. As a rule, top-loading freezers are more energy efficient, but a drawback is they do not provide an ice maker.

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Tell your kids that no matter how many times they open and shut the refrigerator door, nothing different is going to magically appear inside!

When you are in the market for an efficient kitchen appliance, look for energy star refrigerators that display the blue Energy Star logo.