“In Alberta, energy-efficient appliances and electronics are growing in popularity but there is still significant room for improvement,” says John Rilett, director of energy efficiency and conservation, Climate Change Central. “We have a lot of work to do. Some home builders are at the forefront and energy-efficient appliances are standard for them. There are many who don’t know. They are many who may not be aware.”

Launched in 2000, Climate Change Central is a public-private, not-for-profit organization. In 1999, the Alberta govern­ment brought private and public sector leaders together to find an effective way to manage climate change challenges in the province. The org­anization, which has offices in Calgary and Edmonton, focuses on reducing green-house gases through policy, energy efficiency, technology development, and environmental communications.

Climate Change Central has energy efficiency tip sheets, which consumers can take with them to the store. Rilett says “the washing machine is leading the way … Most consumers aren’t looking for a top loading machine ... In electronics, most are looking at TVs and computers that are ENERGY STAR.”

What exactly is ENERGY STAR? ENERGY STAR is the international symbol of energy efficiency that assists consumers in identifying home appliances and energy-using equipment that save energy. In Canada, ENERGY STAR is administered by Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency, which has voluntary arrangements with organizations that build, manufacture, sell or promote products or new homes that meet its energy performance levels.

While Canada’s EnerGuide Program comple­ments the energy efficiency initiative. For consumers, Ene­rGuide compares the energy efficiency of dif­ferent models of household appliances or heating and cooling products sold in Canada. If you see an ENERGY STAR on an EnerGuide label, the product is considered among the most energy efficient.

On appliance manufacturer websites, you can also research their available energy efficient products. Trail Appliances, which has stores in Calgary and Edmonton, provides excellent links to the diverse manu­facturers it carries. Recently, New Home Living asked several manufacturers, such as Kenmore and Miele, about their latest energy efficient appliances on the market. Here’s what they said: “Kenmore Elite HE(5t) Steam washer and HE(3t) Steam washer compared to a conventional washer manufactured before 2004, using the Normal cycle, saves 73 per cent water and 77 per cent energy.”

Miele MasterCool Refrigeration Collection “is ENERGY STAR compliant and its dual processor system helps make the system as energy efficient as possible. MasterCool saves the greens while being green—all at the same time.”

For energy efficiency, Rilett says refrigerators overall are one of the most improved appliances, while PVR videos and plasma TVs, relatively new products, lag behind. Besides the substantial savings from a front-load washer, which can also reduce dryer time, Rilett gives the example of furnaces. Switching from a standard, mid-efficiency furnace to an ENERGY STAR furnace can save 15 to 20 per cent. “Then you can just take your natural gas bill and subtract 15 to 20 per cent from it,” he says.

While consumers are becoming more aware, he says, energy efficiency is relatively low on their shopping list criteria, which usually considers first appliance size, colour and features. “In retail, ENERGY STAR and energy ratings should be designed to find, easy-to-see. We need to get better at it. It needs to be part of the decision-making process.”

There are a few key ways consumers can be more energy-efficient, Rilett suggests. “Use energy wisely as a start. Don’t use energy where you don’t need it.”

“Turn down the thermostat. Become a more aware educated consumer. Switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs is one of the easiest ways. All you have to do is screw in a lightbulb.”

“Then consumers (can make) larger choices like energy efficient appliances. Almost every manufacturer has products that meet the ENERGY STAR standard.”  NL