indoors
L IV IN G G R E E N
DID YOU KNOW?
t h e t r u t h a b o u t s a v in g s
MYTH
Energy Star-
qualified appliances are
more expensive than
other appliances.
FACT
cessarily; it
depends on the appliance.
Features and finish are
the most influential price
factors for appliances
overall. That said, the
initial purchase price of
an Energy Star-qualified
appliance could be higher
than a comparable
appliance that doesn’t
qualify for the Energy
Star program. But when
you factor in rebates
available only for Energy
Star-qualified appliances,
your purchase price
essentially drops. Keep in
mind you’ll find appliances
with the Energy Star
designation at multiple
price levels, so you should
be able to choose one
that fits your budget.
MYTH
It’s impossible
to recoup the cost of
Energy Star appliances
in energy savings.
FACT
e. If you
replace a dishwasher
made before
1994
with
an Energy Star-qualified
model, you can save
$ 40 0
in energy bills over
10
years. And if your
refrigerator was made
before
1993
, replacing it
with a new Energy Star-
qualified model could cut
the electricity costs of
that appliance in half.
MYTH
There seem to
be so many Energy Star-
qualified appliances that
maybe the standards
aren’t really that high.
FACT
First, be sure you
don’t confuse the blue
Energy Star label with the
yellow Energy Guide label,
below,
which is required
by law on
all
refrigerators,
dishwashers, and many
other appliances; that’s
why these tags seem to
be everywhere. Second,
it is true that as
manufacturers have
increased the energy
efficiency of their
products, more qualify for
the Energy Star label. To
keep the label meaningful,
program criteria are
regularly reevaluated and
standards are made more
stringent. The goal is to
recognize products that
offer payback in a
reasonable period of time
and prov'de the same, if
not better, performance.
s o ld w i t h
^ r g y u s e
g y S ta r -
you may be eligible
fered by manufacturers, local
e n u m b e r o f y e a r s a p p lia n c e s h a v e b e e n
t h e E n e r g y G u id e la b e l, w h i c h in d ic a t e s e ne
a n d o p e r a t in g c o s t. I f a p r o d u c t is a ls o E n e r
q u a lif ie d , t h e l o g o w i l l a p p e a r o n t h is la b e l.
W HY BUY NOW
CASH FOR APPLIANCES
You may be able to trade in your old-but-still-running
refrigerator or dishwasher and buy a new Energy Star-
qualified model to get $50 to $250 from a new state
appliance rebate program. The money funnels to
individual consumers from the federal government’s
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
through state energy offices. Like last year’s Cash for
Clunkers rebates, this program will last only as long as
the money holds out. Each state has its own rules for
what type of products qualify and its own purchasing
time frame. For state-by-state details, visit the
Department of Energy’s Web site,
energysavers.gov,
and search for “ Energy Star rebates.”
In addition,
for rebates of
utilities, and retailers. Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Sears
are all planning special promotions in certain states to
coincide with the federal rebate program, reducing
prices even further and making 2010 a prime time to
buy an Energy Star-qualified appliance.
Do your research before you hit the stores. To see
special offers and rebates currently offered by Energy
Star partners, go to
energystar.gov
and search for
“rebate finder” To find a list of retailers of Energy Star-
qualified products in your area and the categories of
products they carry, use
energystar.gov/storelocator.
®
7 8 M A R C H
2010
B E T T E R H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S
PHOTOS: (SHOPPERS) GREG SCHEIDEMANN; (TAG) MARTY BALDWIN
