Given that most of these appliances are not optional in today’s lifestyle, and the others offer such irresistible convenience, major appliances offer a major opportunity for energy savings.

Whether this means replacing the old, energy-guzzling fridge with a sleek, new, efficient model or choosing ENERGY STAR® appliances in a new home, investing in efficient appliances saves the consumer enough money over time to pay for the purchase and then some.

“Demand is absolutely higher for ENERGY STAR® appliances,” says Jordan Fraser, manager of the Calgary Home Appliance Gallery. “Especially with washers and dryers, people definitely gravitate toward it.”

Fraser explains that while in some products, such as dishwashers, the difference between ENERGY STAR® rated and one that isn’t rated is not as marked. But in most cases ENERGY STAR® is the obvious choice. As he tells his customers, energy savings resulting from using these kinds of appliances almost immediately pays for the purchase itself.

Major appliances (refrigerators, freezers, ranges, dishwashers and washers and dryers) account for 62 per cent of a household’s energy consumption, while electronics such as televisions, telephones, DVD players and computers account for the rest.

Consumers can calculate the annual cost to operate any appliance by multiplying the big, bold number on the EnerGuide label on the appliance (annual kWh to operate) by the current price they are being charged per kWh for energy (which can be found on their most recent electricity bill). The resulting number represents the annual cost to operate the appliance.

Compare the cost of operating your current appliance to the cost of operating each of several new models or, when choosing appliances for a new home, be sure to compare the annual cost of operating several different models. Though the more efficient models may cost more to purchase, the savings over the lifetime of the appliance can be staggering.

As Fraser points out, although ENERGY STAR® appliances are not the cheapest ones in the market, neither are they available only at the highest price point. He says there are several energy-efficient options available at very affordable prices.

Your best bet is an ENERGY STAR® appliance, which is rated by the Office of Energy Efficiency under Natural Resources Canada to meet superior energy efficiency standards.

The ENERGY STAR® labeling system is based on the guiding principles of 1) significant energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions; 2) maintained or enhanced performance thanks to energy efficiency; 3) recovery of investment in a reasonable period for purchasers; 4) technology options for energy efficiency that are obtainable for manufacturers; 5) energy consumption of a product is measurable; and 6) labeling will effectively differentiate products. The Alberta government has supported this green industry initiative by offering a $100 rebate on ENERGY STAR® rated clothes washers. Visit http://www.climatechangecentral.com/my-rebates/clothes_washer for more information. NL

More Tips for Improving the Energy Efficiency of Your Appliances

In the fridge: Set the fridge temperature between 1.7 and 3.3 degrees Celsius. Flip the “energy save” switch and set the butter conditioner to “hard.” Provide optimum conditions outside the refrigerator — do not locate over a heat source, and vacuum under and around the appliance to allow air circulation.

Inside, arrange shelves so air can circulate freely, and do not overfill. Allow frozen food to thaw in the refrigerator and leftovers to cool on the counter rather than the other way around.

In the freezer: Set temperature to -18 degrees Celsius. Defrost once a year. Chest freezers are more efficient than upright freezers (cold air drops out of an upright when the door is opened, causing inefficiency).

For the stove/ oven: When using the oven, preheating is not necessary except for baking. Turn it off a few minutes before cooking is done and allow the existing heat to finish the job. Avoid opening the oven door. Use a pot the same size as, or bigger than, the burner, and keep those drip pans clean!

In the dishwasher: Don’t pre-rinse! Run only when it is full, set to the shortest effective cycle and choose the no-heat drying cycle.