| Upgrade: When replacing your gas water heater, choose an energy-efficient model. |
Economic Benefits
Estimated Annual Bill Savings: $20
Estimated Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: $296
Upgrade Cost: $0 to $200 per unit
Return on Investment:
5% to
1000%
Upgrade pays for itself in:
under 1 year
|
|
Additional Benefits: Efficient gas-fired water heaters may hold
their temperature longer following power interruptions and operate more safely.
| | Upgrade Description: When replacing your gas water
heater, choose an energy-efficient model with an Energy Factor of 0.62 or
higher.
Note: Our calculations (bill savings, typical upgrade costs,
and cost-effectiveness) assume the efficient water heater has an energy factor
of 0.62 and recovery efficiency of 0.76. Higher efficiency units are available,
and would provide additional energy savings.
| Purchasing Tips:
- The most important measure of efficiency for water heaters is the Energy
Factor (EF). The higher the EF, the more efficient the water heater.
- Purchase a water heater whose tank is internally insulated with at least
R-16. 5
- A water heater that is too large for your home not only has a higher
purchase cost but will increase your energy costs due to excessive cycling and
standby losses. ACEEE's Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings and GAMA's Consumer's
Directory provide good, simple guidance on proper sizing of water heaters.
The size, or "capacity", of a fuel-fired water heater should be judged by its
first hour rating (FHR), not its tank size. Due to larger burners, some gas
water heaters with smaller tanks actually have higher capacities (FHRs) than
models with larger tanks.
- Many types of water heaters are now available, such as "demand"
(tankless), "indirect" or "integrated", and solar-assisted water heaters. More Information
| More
Information
General Information from DOE
Top-Rated Energy-EfficientWater Heaters from ACEEE
How to prevent health and safety problems with combustion
equipment |
| Upgrade: When replacing your dishwasher, choose an Energy Star-labeled model. |
Economic Benefits
Estimated Annual Bill Savings: $6
Estimated Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: $84
Upgrade Cost: $0 to $70 per unit
Return on Investment:
2% to
1000%
Upgrade pays for itself in:
under 1 year
Water Savings: This upgrade saves about 297 gallons of water annually.
|
|
Additional Benefits: Some Energy Star dishwashers reduce water use
and/or have shorter run times. | | Upgrade Description:
When replacing your dishwasher, choose an Energy Star- labeled model. Energy Star dishwashers must be at least 13% more efficient than federal
efficiency standards. Models are available that are over twice as efficient as a
standard new dishwasher. Many Energy Star models reduce water consumption in addition to saving
energy.
Note: Our calculations (bill savings, typical upgrade costs,
and cost-effectiveness) are for a model with the lowest efficiency that
qualifies for the Energy Star
label. | Purchasing Tips:
- Choose a dishwasher that allows you the option of air drying rather than
heat drying. Air drying uses much less energy than heat drying. 1
- Look for models with internal "booster heaters" which permit lower water
heater temperature settings.
- Choose a dishwasher that provides several wash cycle options, such as
"energy- saving" or "short wash" cycles. These features reduce energy and
water consumption.
- Select a dishwasher with the appropriate capacity for your needs.
Dishwashers are classified as either compact or standard capacity. Compact
models use less energy but also hold fewer dishes. If you have to run the
compact dishwasher more often, you could actually use more energy than with a
standard capacity dishwasher. 1
- Dishwashers come with EnergyGuide
(yellow and black) labels. Use these labels to select the most efficient model
for the capacity you have chosen.
| More
Information
Energy Star
dishwasher product list
Top-Rated Energy-Efficient Dishwashers from ACEEE
Tips for Lowering Your Dishwasher Energy Usage from DOE
|
| Upgrade: When replacing your clothes washer, choose an Energy Star-labeled model. |
Economic Benefits
Estimated Annual Bill Savings: $68
Estimated Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: $881
Upgrade Cost: $350 to $450 per unit
Return on Investment:
11% to
17%
Upgrade pays for itself in:
5 to
6 years
Water Savings: This upgrade saves about 7,981 gallons of water annually.
|
|
Additional Benefits: Energy Star clothes washers can reduce water use significantly, leave
the clothes drier (thus reducing drying time and energy consumption), and reduce
wear and tear on clothes. | | Upgrade Description: When
replacing your clothes washer, choose an Energy Star- labeled model. Energy Star clothes washers can reduce energy consumption by up to 70%
and are available in top-loading and front-loading designs. Some Energy Star models use up to 50% less water
in addition to saving energy.
Note: Our calculations (bill savings, typical upgrade costs,
and cost-effectiveness) are for a model with the lowest efficiency that
qualifies for the Energy Star
label. | Purchasing Tips:
- Choose a clothes washer with high-speed spin cycles. This feature removes
more water from clothes, which reduces the energy and time required for
drying.
- Select a low water-use, high efficiency washer. Front-loading
tumble-action washers can cut energy use by up to 70 percent, reduce water
consumption significantly, and may actually get clothes cleaner. 1
- Look for pre-soaking and/or "suds saver" options which conserve energy.
- Clothes washers come with EnergyGuide
(yellow and black) labels. Use these labels to select the most efficient model
for the capacity you have chosen.
| More
Information
Energy Star clothes
washer product list
General Information from DOE
Top-Rated Energy-Efficient Clothes Washers from ACEEE
Horizontal-axis Clothes Washer Information
|
| Upgrade: Have your ducts professionally sealed to reduce leakage. |
Economic Benefits
Estimated Annual Bill Savings: $44
Estimated Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: $655
Upgrade Cost: $200 to $600 per house
Return on Investment:
1% to
21%
Upgrade pays for itself in:
4 to
13 years
|
|
Additional Benefits: Sealing leaky ducts can help improve comfort
and avoid indoor air pollution problems, fire hazards, and rooftop ice-dam
formation during the winter. | | Upgrade Description: Have
your ducts professionally sealed to meet the Energy Star specification for duct leakage. The duct leakage must be no
more than 10% total (supply and return) as a percent of fan flow. The average
forced-air duct system loses about 30% of the energy produced by the furnace or
air conditioner in the course of distributing air to the rooms. This energy loss
can be reduced by sealing duct joints with mastic or high-quality duct tape, and
insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces.
Note: The annual bill savings and cost-effectiveness assume
that your ducts are sealed to the maximum leakage level (10%) allowed by the
Energy Star specification.
| Purchasing Tips:
- Have your ducts sealed by a qualified professional.
- Use high quality duct sealing materials. Only the following materials are
approved by EPA for this purpose: Underwriters Laboratories-tested UL 181 mastics and tapes
listed for duct sealing, or AEROSEAL sealant.
- Make sure you have your ducts professionally tested with a fan flow
metering device after sealing. Ask your contractor for a report documenting
the final leakage level; the report may help increase the resale value of your
house. Also have the ducts tested prior to sealing, so that you can see how
much improvement has been made. See the Energy Star Specifications for Ducts web site for further information
about testing.
| More Information
Energy Star
Duct Sealing
Aerosol-Based Duct
Sealing
General Information from DOE
EPA's
brochure "Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?"
An Introduction to
Residential [Duct] Systems |
| Upgrade: When replacing your main refrigerator, choose an Energy Star-labeled model. |
Economic Benefits
Estimated Annual Bill Savings: $20
Estimated Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: $399
Upgrade Cost: $0 to $1,000 per unit
Return on Investment:
NCE to
1000%
Upgrade pays for itself in:
under 1 year
|
|
Additional Benefits: Energy-efficient refrigerators are quieter,
run less often, release less heat into your kitchen, and keep their contents
cool longer during power outages. | | Upgrade description:
When replacing your main refrigerator, choose an Energy Star- labeled model. Energy Star refrigerators must exceed federal efficiency standards by at
least 20%. Models that are up to 40% more efficient than the federal standards
are available.
Note: Our calculations (bill savings, typical upgrade costs,
and cost-effectiveness) are for a model with the lowest efficiency that
qualifies for the Energy Star
label. | Purchasing Tips:
- Be especially careful in choosing a refrigerator because it will use more
energy than any other kitchen appliance. 2
- Refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom or the top are the most
efficient. Bottom- mounted freezer models use about 16% less energy than
side-by-side models. Top- mounted freezer models use about 13% less energy
than a side-by side. 1
- Through-the-door icemakers and water dispensers are convenient and reduce
the need to open the door, which helps maintain a more constant temperature.
However, these convenient items will increase your refrigerator's energy use
by 14 to 20%. 1
- Too large a refrigerator wastes space and energy. One that is too small
can mean extra trips to the grocery store. Decide which size fits your needs,
then compare the EnergyGuide
(yellow and black) label on each so you can purchase the most energy efficient
make and model. The most efficient refrigerator size is 16-20 cubic feet.
1,2
| More
Information
Energy Star
refrigerator product list
Top-Rated Refrigerators from ACEEE
Tips for Lowering Your Refrigerator Energy Usage from DOE
|
|
