These days, every homeowner is trying to save money one way or another with their household expenses. Whether you’re retrofitting your home with energy saving LED lightbulbs to energy efficient heating and cooling systems, the name of the game in the 21st century is to be ecologically conscious and reduce consumption while reducing costs.
Today’s consumer has the advantage of home appliance and products manufactured with the Energy Star certified seal. Often, Energy Star appliances pay for themselves with a lifetime of savings on your energy bill. These products use less energy and help us reduce our impact on the environment. Energy Star appliances are required to use about 20 percent less energy than non-certified models, and there are many offers, promotions and incentives for homeowners to switch over to Energy Star appliances.
Of all of the products that you use in your home, water usage appliances account for a significant proportion of your costs because it is not just the water being used but the electricity as well. The appliances and fixtures that use most water consumption are the washing machine, dishwasher, shower, and toilet.
Washing Machines
The average Canadian family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year. When it comes time to replace your washing machine, look for Energy Star-certified models, which can use about 20 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than regular washers. They also have a greater tub capacity, which means you can do fewer loads and tackle the same amount of laundry.
Refrigerators & Freezers
Thanks to recent improvements in insulation and compressors, today’s Energy Star-certified refrigerators and freezers use much less energy than older models while still offering lots of modern features. By properly recycling your old fridge and replacing it with an Energy Star certified model, you can save between $150 - $1,100 on energy costs over its lifetime.
Air Purifiers & Dehumidifiers
Energy Star-certified room air purifiers are 40 percent more energy-efficient than standard models, saving consumers about $25 annually on utility bills. An ENERGY STAR-certified dehumidifier removes the same amount of moisture as a comparable conventional unit but uses 15 percent less energy.
Toilets
Look no further than your toilet as the number one water guzzler in your home. One of the all-time thirstiest fixtures, toilets are estimated to be responsible for upwards of 30 percent of household water consumption and those predating the 1992 federal restrictions of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) are especially inefficient. Thanks to technological advances, a new breed of toilets offer increased efficiency and performance capabilities of the first low-flow models. Replacing an older model with a high-efficiency low flow toilet will reduce water consumption and lower your costs.
If you are considering replacing a toilet, washing machine or other appliance, contact A. McKenna Plumbing today. Servicing the Oakville, Mississauga, Etobicoke and surrounding areas, we will happily recommend and install energy efficient appliances in your home.