Energy Star means that a product is at the top of its category for energy efficiency, but what exactly does that mean for each appliance? Are the energy savings the same across the board? Or are they different per category? 

Here’s a breakdown of what Energy Star means for different appliances:

Clothes Washers

An Energy Star clothes washer uses 50% less energy and consumes 35% – 50% less water than a conventional model. By using an Energy Star clothes washer, you will save an average of $50 per year on your utility bill.

Energy-saving features include:

  • Sensors to prevent energy waste by matching water needs to the size of each load
  • Advanced high-speed motors to reduce the length of spin cycles and remove more water from clothes, so less time and energy are needed for drying
  • Adjustable water temperature controls and load capacity settings

Front load washing machines offer further savings and benefits.  The higher capacity of the front load design means that you can do the same amount of laundry in fewer loads.  The front load design also uses less water as laundry sits in a small amount of water as opposed to being completely submerged, like in a top-load model.  All of this means less energy, less water, less detergent and less time are required to get the job done.  Also, the back and forth motion of the front load drum is gentler on fabrics, which helps your clothes to last longer.  With appliances this efficient, laundry just might become your favourite household chore!

Dishwashers

An Energy Star dishwasher uses 25% less energy than a conventional model.  Energy-saving features include:

  • Improved technology that requires less hot water per load
  • Sensors to calculate the required length of washing cycles and the appropriate water temperatures needed to clean each load
  • Some models feature built-in heating elements that save water-heating costs

For even more savings, you can also use the Air-dry option or No-heat dry.  Use a delay timer in order to run the dishwasher at a low-peak consumption times and avoid the use of pre-rinse or rinse-hold cycles.

Refrigerators

Modern refrigerators use much less energy than older levels and can save you up to $165 over the lifetime of your fridge.  An Energy Star refrigerator must exceed Government of Canada minimum efficiency standards by at least 20%.  Energy-saving features include:

  • Better insulation
  • High-efficiency compressors
  • Improved heat-transfer surfaces
  • More precise temperature and defrost mechanisms

For even more energy savings, be sure to keep door seals clean and repair any cracks, periodically clean the condenser coils and watch the temperature control – if it is set too low, it will take more energy to run.

Freezers

An Energy Star freezer must exceed Government of Canada minimum efficiency standards by at least 10% – 20%, depending on the size and model (chest or upright).  Energy saving features include:

  • Better insulation
  • High-efficiency compressors
  • Improved heat transfer surfaces
  • More precise temperature and defrost controls

If you are in the market for a new freezer, you should consider a chest freezer.  A chest freezer is generally more efficient than an upright model because less cold air escapes when you lift the lid, meaning more energy savings for you!