Now with energy prices rising not just at the petrol pump but also for the home more and more people are looking at energy efficiency in a completely different light to the way would have done say 20 years ago. You will often find now that people when looking to purchase a new appliance for the home will not only consider the price but also the impact it may have on their future energy bills. Although they may find that some of the more energy efficient appliances are a tad more expensive, the savings that they will get from it when placed in their homes will certainly outweigh the price paid very quickly. An additional benefit of someone purchasing an energy efficient appliance is that is causes less stress to the planet and this results in less damage to the environment that we now live in.

However deciding which appliance is best suited to you can be quite difficult as not only appliances but other home products such as windows and insulation can all have their own terms for what makes them so energy efficient and trying to compare one product to another can be quite a task. However a good place to start is by looking for an energy symbol (such as a star or letter/number). But it is a good idea if you had information on what an energy symbol is and what it actually means in relationship to the appliance and the environment.

The US Government set up the Energy Star Program in 1992 (in the UK they have a lettering system) and was a joint project between the DoE (Department of Energy) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). They provide a list of consumer goods which have qualified for the energy star rating and this list has steadily expanded since it first being produced. If you were to visit the Energy Star website you would discover that products which have the Energy Star label have met strict standards that have been set by the DoE and EPA both in respect of energy efficiency and low emissions. Though there are some appliances not listed, you will find that some Energy Star labeled products will give tax credits to their purchasers and manufacturers of Energy Star appliances are also eligible for business tax credits, which often means that these savings are passed on to their customers. So by switching to an Energy Star rated appliance you can on average save about $80 a year on your home energy bills.

So by looking for an appliance with an Energy Star rating is a good place to start when making such an important purchase, but it is wise to remember that not all appliances available are eligible for the Energy Star rating and such products as clothes dryers, ovens and ranges are included in this. However the DoE can provide you with guidelines for purchasing an appliance which falls into these categories and you can visit their website (Energystar.gov) for this information. However you will certainly find the Energy Star on such appliances as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers (all essential appliances in any home) as well as many other appliances for the home such as computers, telephones and light bulbs are just a few.