Energy Efficient Appliances

Bad for the environment and bad for your pocketbook: Replacing older appliances like your dishwasher, fridge, and washer/dryer can help the environment and over the long haul save you money, too. Here's a quick guide to what's new on the appliance scene and when to consider leaving the old behind.

Energy Star

The no-brainer is to look for the Energy Star label (some cities and states have rebates on Energy Star products so make sure to check). The now familiar energy guide label indicates the highest and lowest energy consumption or efficiency estimates of similar appliance models. Energy Star guidelines will only get you so far, though. There are still some personal decisions, like "rightsizing"—looking at whether you're going for the humongous-sized refrigerator (that's often just a gathering place for moldy leftovers) or a smaller, more efficient model.

Refrigerators

The energy sucker! Sucking up 1,383 kilowatt hours per year in a typical household (14% of a household's electricity), your refrigerator is typically the worst energy hog in the home according to the Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices. (Of course, it's the one appliance that's alway on, too.) Your best bet is to use a refrigerator with the freezer on top; these use 10 to 15 less energy than a side-by-side model of equivalent size.

New refrigerators like GE's have climate zones throughout so you can set different areas to different temperatures. GE also has what it calls FrostGuard—a special system that uses two separate evaporators to provide the best environment for fresh and frozen food. Sub-Zero adjusts defrost cycles via a microchip. Thermador uses sealed humidity controlled crispers to keep garden greens fresh. Samsung has an LCD touch screen/memo pad for you to jot notes about the day you packed in the leftovers. LG Electronics' new designs use built-in computer and barcode scanners to track your groceries. Some of the models have full LCD screens with PC functionality displaying everything from recipes to weather reports right on the door. It'll even email you when you're out of milk. Viking offers a stainless steel refrigerator that beeps when the door is left open.

Washing Machines

Compared to older (pre-1994) machines, an Energy Star washer can save up to $110 per year on your utility bills. They use less water, extract more water during the spin cycle (saving on drying time), and many use less solvents and detergents.

Your best bet is to select a machine that allows you to adjust the water temperature and levels for the size of the load. Front-loading machines typically use less water and, consequently, less energy than top loaders. (Their capacity is usually smaller, however.)

According to Whirlpool, based on an estimated 10 loads of laundry per week, larger front-loading washers use only 16 to 20 gallons of water per load, compared to a conventional top-load washer that requires 40 to 45 gallons per load. You'll save the most energy washing with cold or warm water, and washing only full loads.

You can find a list of washing machines that meet the Energy Star guidelines. A couple of standouts include GE's Harmony washer, which far exceeds the U.S. Department of Energy standards. Even more high tech is Sanyo's AQUA washing machine—the world's first washing machine to use a combination of recycled water and a special air wash. The final rinse water (which is recycled from the first wash) is infused with ozone so it can be used in a few more washes. The Air Wash cycle eliminates bacteria and odors from clothing that requires dry cleaning. Staber creates a line of propane refrigerators and non-agitating washing machines that are easier on the environment, too. Samsung's SilverCare washer uses silver ions to get clothes cleaner without requiring a hot water wash.

The wrinkle conscious amongst us should look at the LG SteamWasher, a washing machine with a special steam cycle to reduce wrinkles and get clothes cleaner at the same time.

Clothes Dryers

Energy Star doesn't label clothes dryers because most dryers use similar amounts of energy, but the most important tech feature of the new dryers are moisture sensors that automatically shut off the machine when clothes are dry.

An interesting product from Germany, Spin-X, removes 60% of the water from washed clothing with centrifugal force. Clothes come out barely damp, greatly reducing or even eliminating expensive dryer run time. Some tips for buying an energy efficient clothes dryer include proper venting.

Dishwashers

Replacing a 1994 dishwasher with a current model can save $25 in energy costs and 1,000 gallons of water annually. Most of the energy (80%) used in the dishwasher goes into heating the water. The new dishwashers tend to include new energy efficient cycle selections. Some dishwashers have built-in booster heaters that raise the water temperature hot enough for the dishwasher (140 degrees) without forcing you to raise your overall home water temperature.

GE's new dishwashers use their SmartDispense technology, which releases just the right amount of detergent throughout the wash cycle by sensing how dirty the dishes are and the water hardness level. Bosch makes a dishwasher that can adapt the wash cycle to how dirty the dishes are. KitchenAid's dishwasher doubles as a sink simply by removing the inner basket.

Next up will surely be appliances that talk to us to help us conserve and keep things in ship shape. Miele is introducing Remote Vision, a $100 device that will mind the health of your appliances, alerting you via the Internet if you're having a problem. Whirlpool's laundry project notifies you via cell phone when its time to change the wash.