Kitchen and Laundry Appliances
ENERGY STAR® Certified Kitchen Appliances
If you’d like to lower your energy bill, the kitchen is a good place to start. Small changes can make a big difference. Check out the tips below to make your kitchen more energy and cost-efficient.
Refrigerators & Freezers
Since refrigerators consume energy 24 hours a day, it’s important to choose the most energy-efficient model within your budget. Use the power-save switch if your fridge has one, and be sure to buy an Energy Star® model.
Use & Care
- Keep fridge temp at 35˚F - 38˚F, and freezer at 0˚F - 5˚F
- Clean condenser coils once a year to improve efficiency
- If the door seal can’t hold a dollar bill in place, consider replacing it
Buyers Guide
- The Energy Star® logo signifies superior efficiency
- Models with top or bottom freezers use 10 – 25% less energy
- Models with manual defrost use up to 50% less energy
- Models with advanced ice makers may use up to 20% more energy
Dishwashers
With California’s historical drought, conserving water is more crucial than ever before. The right energy-efficient dishwasher may produce even more annual savings than hand-washing. and choosing shorter cycles.
Use & Care
- Turn your water heater thermostat down to 120˚F
- Air dry to save 15-50% on operational costs
- Only operate your dishwasher when full and skip the pre-rinse
Buyers Guide
- The Energy Star® Logo signifies superior efficiency
- Find a model with cycle options that uses 5 gallons of water/load
- The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy recommends an EF (Energy Factor) of at least 0.65
Stoves & Ovens
Cooking appliances are not subject to federal energy efficiency regulations, but you can still save on cost and energy by adjusting your cooking habits and choosing efficient cookware. Use a microwave for reheating small items.
Use & Care
- Cooking with a full oven decreases energy use by 20%
- Don’t preheat or “peek” inside the oven more than necessary
- Check the seal on the oven door
Buyers Guide
- The most efficient stoves ranked by performance are magnetic induction, halogen, radiant, and exposed coil.
- Look for models with electric ignitions instead of standard pilots
- Self-cleaning ovens’ insulation levels result in higher efficiency
The Spin on Savings
A few simple changes to the way you clean and dry your clothes can have a significant impact on energy savings.
Clothes Washer
Select the appropriate water level for the load size and the highest spin speed available to remove moisture and reduce the time and energy needed to dry clothing. A cold wash cycle may save up to 10 times as much energy.*
Use & Care
- Washing full loads can save over 3,400 gallons of water annually
- Cold water is gentler on clothes and preserves energy
- Lowering your water thermostat to 120˚ F may save up to 20% on costs
- Insulate exposed hot water pipes to reduce heat loss
Buyers Guide
- The Energy Star® logo signifies the model is more environmentally friendly and efficient than standard models
- Front-loading washers use 30-60% less water and 50-70% less energy than top-loading washers
- For more tips visit our FAQ & Tips page
Clothes Dryer
Clothes dryers are one of the largest energy users in our homes accounting for almost 2 percent of our nation’s electricity consumption. Drying one large load of laundry is more economical than two small loads, so think big!
Use & Care
- Air drying clothes outdoors is the ultimate energy saver
- Dry multiple loads in a row while the dryer is still warm from the previous load
- Keep lint filters clean to ensure proper airflow, and be sure outside dryer vents fit snugly
Buyers Guide
- Automatic shut-off controls are key to energy-efficiency in a dryer
- Models with advanced moisture and temperature sensors save energy
- Heat pump systems use less energy than conventional dryers by recycling heat
*ACEEE. (2010). Consumer Resources: Laundry. Retrieved October 2, 2012, from http://aceee.org/consumer/laundry
Source – Savings estimates based on Energy Star® - Certified model replacing a standard top-freezer model 9top freezer style, 19-21. 4 cubic feet in volume). Assumes Southern California average residential electricity rate of $0.17/kWh.
1 Savings estimates based on ENERGY STAR®-certified model replacing a standard top-freezer model (top-freezer style, 19—21.4 cubic feet in volume). Assumes Southern California average residential electricity rate of $0.17/kWh.