Energy Efficient Kitchen Appliances

If you are shopping for new kitchen appliances, energy efficiency is likely a primary concern. There is a wide range to pick from, but how do you pick the most efficient? 

Below is a Q and A list of tips for purchasing new kitchen appliances:

Where do I start?

The first thing to do when shopping for an energy efficient kitchen appliance is to consider three components: the purchase price, frequency of repairs, and the maintenance and operating costs.

How do I determine the efficiency of an appliance?

To help determine the efficiency of a kitchen appliance look for FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Appliance Labeling. Manufactures are required to label certain appliances with the familiar yellow/black Energy Guide label. You'll find this label on refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers.

Are there other ways to check for energy efficiency?

You can also look for the Energy Star logo to help determine the energy efficiency of an appliance. Energy Star rated appliances are generally the most efficient. The Energy Star label was created by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to assist consumers with saving money and reducing air pollution. The logo is found on qualified refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers.

Which kitchen appliance consumes the most energy?

Refrigerators consume the most power. However, this is the benefit of looking for the Energy Star label on refrigerators because they must use 20 percent less energy than models without the Energy Star logo. Manual defrost refrigerators are generally more energy efficient than the automatic defrost models, but this is only true if the refrigerator is defrosted if ice buildup is more than 1/4 inch.

Should I replace my old refrigerator?

Replacing your old refrigerator is one of the biggest contributions you can make to save energy and lower electric bills. The most efficient refrigerators are models with the fewest accessories. Water dispensers and ice-makers use excessive amounts of energy. Additionally, auto-defrost features use heat to speed up defrosting and this results in lower overall efficiency. The most efficient models will be in the 16-20 cubic feet range, with a top or bottom freezer, rather than the side-by-side model.

What about freezers?

The independent freezer models that come with an Energy Star logo will use 10% less energy than a non-qualified model. Additionally, an older freezer model, purchased before 1993, costs an extra $35.00 annually to operate. If your freezer was purchased back in the 1980s, you are likely spending an extra $70.00 annually to operate. This is because improved compressors and insulation makes today's freezers more energy efficient.

How can I save when buying a dishwasher?

If your dishwasher was built before 1994, it wastes over 10 gallons of water during each cycle compared to new models that are Energy Star qualified. Operating costs of the older model is an extra $40.00 per year. Advanced technology on Energy Star qualified dishwashers use less water and energy. Consider a dishwasher with an "energy-save" or "light-wash" feature - it will use less water by operating for a shorter period of time. Also, the "air-dry" option on certain models use a circulation fan which, in turn, uses less power than models with "heat-dry" modes.

What energy advances are available for stoves?

Consider a stove with an induction cook-top. It uses 90% of the energy produced compared to only 65% produced to operate an electric range, and 55% for a gas range. Gas stoves with an electronic ignition use approximately 40% less gas than stoves with pilot lights that remain on. Self-cleaning ovens are actually more energy efficient because they are better insulated.

Note: The Energy Guide label requirement does not apply to kitchen stoves.

For more energy saving ideas, see links below: