Save Energy with Energy Star Appliances

When an appliance breaks down or stops working we are faces with a challenge. Do we get it repaired or replaced? We can often save money in the long run (and be gentle on the planet) by replacing old appliances with new Energy Star appliances. This is an important, but often overlooked step toward having a truly green household.

There are home products and products for the office that have been rated and earned the ENERGY STAR rating, which means that they are within the efficiency guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) as being cost effective and/or producing less waste. These agencies have deemed certain products as energy efficient and where ever you purchase appliances or heating and cooling systems, electronics and office equipment, by choosing a product that has the Energy Star mark, you are purchasing a product that is going to work with the efforts to recycle, reuse and reduce.

Many newer homes start off with energy efficient appliances and systems that are a savings right from the start, but not every one is that lucky to have brand new equipment. All of the retailers from the largest appliance chains have products that are Energy Star approved. Whether you are shopping at Lowe's, Home Depot, Sears, Best Buy, or Costco, you will find a great selection of energy star rated appliances.

Because of the need for more and more options that will back the recycling effort in the United States, using Energy Star approved appliances not only makes sense but will end up saving the consumer on monthly expenses. How can helping the environment and saving money be a bad thing?

Please remember when you are making any home improvements or replacing any broken or out-dated appliances to only purchase those items that have the Energy Star rating and keep the process of recycling going. It's always better to keep up with something, like recycling, when you don't even know you're doing it! Energy Star products will keep you in that frame of mind.

Also, if you are looking to upgrade your windows in your home there are Energy Star rated windows that, when installed properly, will be a great asset to your home in the struggle to control the high cost of heating. Look for double pane windows and be sure that all of the surrounding area of the window is not allowing the cold air in, because if it is, then you can bet the warm air is leaking out and there's, "No need to heat the whole neighborhood," as my father used to say, every time one of my sisters or I would leave the back door opened, when we were growing up.