This month, we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with food, drink, and dancing all the while wearing our favorite shades of green. Speaking of green, it’s time to bid your appliances of yesteryear an “Irish Goodbye” and “Go Green” by adding Energy Star rated models in your kitchen. It’s a win win for the planet and your wallet!
What Is Energy Star?
Energy Star is a rating system that uses standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help consumers understand energy efficiency of everyday products like appliances. Think of it as the “MPG sticker” for your home. The higher the rating, the more efficient the appliance.
Appliances that have Energy Star ratings reduce costs and greenhouse emissions significantly. According to the EPA, the Energy Star program has prevented the release of 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases since 1992 while saving businesses and consumers over $500 billion in energy costs.
Cool Savings: Refrigerators
Because they run 24/7, refrigerators are a major source of power consumption. Upgrading to a modern refrigerator with a solid Energy Star rating can save electricity and reduce food waste. Newer models have better insulation, more efficient compressors, and temperature and defrost controls that boost efficiency.
Clean and Green: Dishwashers
Dishwashers also consume their fair share of power with pumps and heaters as their main components. In addition to the Energy Star rating, look for models that sense how dirty your dishes are and have adjustable time, water, and load size cycles.
It’s the Little Things
The power consumption of mixers, coffee makers, and microwaves can add up over time. Look for auto-shutoff features, adjustable power settings and low standby power usage.
There is no Energy Star standard for home microwaves, but a new microwave-convection combo unit uses about 20 percent less energy per year than a radiant oven.
And air fryers cook most foods faster, give off less heat, and use less energy than your oven, which make them a great energy efficient alternative.
Hot Topic: Induction Cooking
Induction cooktops are 5 to 10 percent more efficient than electric stoves and three times (that’s 300%!) more efficient than gas. Instead of a radiant or gas burners, induction cooktops use an electromagnetic field and work with most cookware that’s magnetic — so you can still cook in your cast-iron skillet or steel Calphalon. They’re also better for indoor air quality than gas which is a big deal when you think about your kids and pets.
Aggressive Appliances cares about you and the planet. Our team members are here to help you choose a refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher with energy-efficient features that will refresh the look of your kitchen, save you money, and give you peace of mind knowing you’re helping save the environment.
Let’s Go Green Together!
Refrigerator
GE® ENERGY STAR® 25.3 Cu. Ft. Side-By-Side Refrigerator GSE25GGPBB
https://www.aggressiveappliances.com/products/GE-Appliances/ge/gse25ggpbb.html
Dishwasher
Bosch 100 Series Dishwasher 24” Stainless steel SHE3AEE5N
https://www.aggressiveappliances.com/products/bosch/she3aee5n.html
Induction Cooktop
Frigidaire 30” Induction Cooktop FCCI3027AB
https://www.aggressiveappliances.com/products/Frigidaire/frig/fcci3027ab.html
Microwave-Convection Oven
Samsung 1.2 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave with Power Convection MC12J8035CT
https://www.aggressiveappliances.com/products/samsung/mc12j8035ct.html
Sources:
https://www.energystar.gov/products/what_makes_product_energy_star
https://www.energystar.gov/about?s=mega
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/kitchen/best-induction-cooktops/
https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/what-is-a-convection-oven/
https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/ranges/pros-and-cons-of-induction-cooktops-and-ranges-a5854942923/