If you look at appliances physically, they all look pretty much the same but in terms of energy efficiency and operating costs they significantly vary from each other and this is what you should look into. If an appliance has energy efficiency, the more you are going to save money in the long run through its operating costs. This will help you reduce your monthly utility bill and help protect the environment.

How do you shop for energy efficient fridge and freezer?

The first thing you need to do is follow your preferences – the size and style, for example. The size should follow the measurement on the space where you plan to put it in your home to ensure that it fits the area otherwise this will become a problem. You should make sure that the area allows you to open the doors fully without any hindrances and give you enough margins for ventilation. The style will follow your taste and preference so there is not much I can say about this area.

The next thing you need to make sure is the price and estimated energy use. These are factors that most people don’t even bother delving into in the fear of not being able to understand. Of course, the price is self-explanatory – you should buy according to your budget and not go beyond your capacity. However, it gets quite complex when it comes to estimated energy use. Nonetheless, fridge and freezer manufacturers make sure that they have already taken this into account so you can just read it in their product or sales label.

In case you are confused on which brand or model to purchase, you should ask yourself whether you trust the brand and then shop for the most appropriate model later on. A lot of times, you are going to save more on products that are more expensive because naturally they are more energy-efficient than most cheaper models. But if you cannot afford to do so, you could always ask the appliance store whether they have special offers on energy-efficient appliances.

If you don’t know by now, there are incentive programs like low-interest loans and cash rebates that are offered to consumers in the hope to encourage purchasing of energy-efficient appliances. The more you take advantage of this the higher your money savings each month so your decision should be based on this.

Finally, read the energy guide label, which is required by FTC to be attached on all appliances. The label is colored yellow and black label that states the estimated annual energy consumption for that particular appliance. If you read this label, you will be able to compare the efficiency of the appliance or its annual energy consumption against other brands or models.

You should always look for the energy star logo since appliances that bear this are more energy-efficient than the average model. This will guide you to the right direction and significantly heightens your decision-making capacity.

Posted by JackieAzuela at 17 September, 2012

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