Energy Efficient Refrigerators
With so many refrigerator options available today, one aspect is often overlooked: energy compliance. There is a three step process for choosing the best energy efficient refrigerators, which I would like to briefly outline for you --
Many energy efficient refrigerators have had to go through standardized testing to make sure they qualify for an Energy Star logo. You want this logo on your energy efficient refrigerators! It means they perform 20% more efficiently than bare minimum standards. This saves you money on your electricity bill every month, and it saves energy consumption in the country on a large scale (imagine several hundred thousand refrigerators running at the same time, and now imagine them operating at 20% more efficiency).
So yes, you do want the Energy Star logo on any energy efficient refrigerators you are considering for purchase. You don't need to be in America to find the logo either, you can find the same logo anywhere. It is an international standard, available in most countries. Most manufacturers strive to be Energy Star compliant. They want that logo certification on their products, or they risk consumers not buying it. So that is your first criterion to check for.
Your second criterion to check for, if you are in the United States, is a large yellow sticker on the back of your energy efficient refrigerator. Occasionally it is on the door. It is a medium-sized yellow sticker with black text. It contains the average cost to operate the appliance, and it tells you how much electricity the refrigerator uses on average every single hour. This is for further comparison between energy efficient refrigerators.
After that, you may want to consider the usual questions when choosing an energy efficient refrigerator. How many cubic square feet of refrigeration are you looking for? Do you want a side-by-side model? Wide side by side, with freezer drawer at the bottom? What color would you like your refrigerator in? What price range are you looking for? Do you have the time to shop around? What about waiting for a good deal at one of the home appliance stores?
And of course, always remember to keep your energy efficient refrigerator at a slightly warmer setting. Keeping refrigerators on the coldest setting causes more electricity use. Keep in mind that the refrigerator is plugged in and chugging away, using electricity every minute, twenty four hours a day, and any step you take to reduce the load is a step in the right direction. I trust this article has been helpful to you as you shop smart and shop green!
