Save Some Green with Energy Star Appliances

I received my power bill last week and it was through the roof! Why? Because of my energy hogging appliances. After casually talking to my mama about school, this and that and my bills, she told me that she had Energy Star appliances that have reduced her power bills/water bills. So, I researched Energy Star and thought I'd talk about appliances that not only have gone green, but also save you some green.

Energy Star is program that involves the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This program allows anyone to save some green and attribute to an eco-friendly environment through "energy-efficient products and practices."

According to the Energy Star Web site:

"Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2006 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars — all while saving $14 billion on their utility bills."

Sounds great, right? Energy Star offers an array of products/appliances that reduce energy use, including but not limited to clothes washers, dehumidifiers, refrigerators and freezers, room air conditioners, room air cleaners and ceiling fans.

Take for instance, dishwashers. They not only use power to run them, but water as well. Energy Star dishwashers can save you $30 a year in utility bills.

According to the Energy Star Web site on dishwashers:

"ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use at least 41 percent less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption. ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use much less water than conventional models. Because they use less hot water compared to new conventional models, an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher saves about $90 over its lifetime."

So reduce your bills and reduce energy use in your home by not only going green with appliances, but saving green.

Until next week, happy appliance hunting!