4 Top Energy Efficient Appliances To Decrease Your Carbon Footprint

A recent report from the United Nations climate council made some ominous forecasts. It predicted that we could face a crisis as early as 2040, due to the increased pace of global warming changes. The good news is that there is still time for households to make some changes to reduce your carbon footprint and turn things around.

What can we do to help slow the progression of climate change? One of the most important steps is to make invest in the right appliances. As the EPA points out, choosing the right appliances can play a key role in lowering your carbon footprint.

How Does Choosing the Right Appliances Lower Your Carbon Footprint?

Did you know that the average household has a larger carbon footprint than the average car? Well, you better believe that. Much of the type of energy used in our homes comes from power plants which burn fossil fuel causing air pollution. By using energy-efficient appliances, people can take one of the much needed steps to reduce air pollution significantly. Moreover, households can save a lot of money on utility bills and also extend the useful life of the appliances.  By replacing your household appliances with eco-friendly appliances, you’re making an investment that will cut down your energy bill for years.

Here are some tips for buying energy efficient appliances, and some of the best ones to buy.

1. Washing Machine

When you replace your regular washing machine with an energy-efficient model, you will save both water and energy bills. The environmentally friendly model can save up to $100 per year on utility and water bills and also uses less laundry detergent. It uses 40-50 percent less energy and more than 50 percent less water than your conventional washer. You can also save much more by buying a front-loading machine rather than a top loading washer.

2. Refrigerator

The refrigerator is the largest power consumer in most homes. By using an energy-efficient refrigerator, you can save a lot. According to Energy Star, a top-freezer fridge costs about $45 a year to run compared to a bottom-freezer ($70) and a side-by-side freezer ($75). Therefore, you can save substantially by replacing your standard refrigerator with a top-freezer fridge.

3. Dishwasher

Dishwashers may not use as much power as refrigerators or washing machines, but the electricity and water required to run a cycle adds up. There are plenty of eco-friendly dishwashers that are more efficient, using less water and energy. They generally use about 5.8 gallons of water per cycle rather than 10 gallons like some older models. ENERGY STAR-qualified dishwashers are, on average, 12 percent more energy efficient than the standard models.

4. Inflatable Hot Tubs

Inflatable tubs are more energy-efficient than fitted hot tubs. They use just a single blower and pump which lowers their running cost by about 50 percent. Inflatable tubs are only connected to power when in use, unlike a fitted tub, hence they save more energy. Unlike many energy-efficient appliances, inflatable hot tubs are actually less expensive than the standard tubs. There are a number of ways to get a hot tub that is also energy efficient.

Tips for Buying Energy-Efficient Appliances

• Choose the right size – You will save energy by using the size of an appliance that fits your usage needs.
• Know that every appliance has two price tags – Don’t just look at the upfront cost of a new appliance, but also consider the cost of operating the appliance.
• Look for appliances with energy-saving settings – An ‘eco’ setting lets you save energy and water without compromising on the performance.
• Sometimes design also matters – Appliances come in different styles, and sometimes the design can influence their energy consumption. For instance, top-freezer refrigerators are more efficient than side-by-side freezer refrigerators and bottom freezer refrigerators.
• Check the EnergyGuide label – Most appliances have an EnergyGuide label that provides the efficiency statistics for that specific appliance. They can offer useful insight into how much money you will save on energy.

Save the Environment with the Right Appliances

When it comes to fighting climate change, it is the little things that matter. You can make a huge difference by investing in the right appliances. They will significantly shave your carbon footprint and help save the world for years to come.