 Appliance
labeling was initiated by Congress as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
and later amended by the National Energy Conservation Policy. The United States Department of
Energy and the Federal Trade Commission jointly manage this program.
Energy Guide labels are bright yellow and black for easy identification. They are
required on refrigerators, refrigerator/freezers, freezers, air conditioners, clothes washers,
dishwashers, water heaters, and furnaces that were manufactured on or after May 19, 1980.
Three types of labels are used. They are; Energy Cost Labels, Energy Efficiency
Rating Labels and Generic Labels.
The most widely used is the Energy Cost Label. It is found on refrigerators, refrigerator/freezers,
freezers, water heaters, dishwashers and clothes washers.
The Energy Efficiency Rating Label (EER) is used on climate control appliances,
such as room air conditioners. The EER on the bar scale should be a high figure. The closer to
10.2 EER the more energy efficient the air conditioner is. This figure is derived by dividing
Btu/hr (cooling output) by the watts of power the unit uses. A 12,000 Btu unit rated at 1,350
watts has an EER of 8.8. The highest EER rating saves over 50 percent more energy than the lowest.
Generic Labels are the third type of Energy Guide labels. They are required on
all furnaces.
When buying a new refrigerator, here's what to look for:
First, choose the cubic foot size to fit your needs.
Oversized models can be costly. Plan ahead. If your family is still growing, you may need the
extra space, but if in a few years the children will not be at home, a smaller model may be the
best choice.
Energy Guide labels classify models in cubic foot ranges of approximately two cubic
feet. Compare Energy Guide labels of models in the same cubic foot range. Sample Energy Guide
label ranges in cubic feet.
| 12.5 to 14.4 |
14.5 to 16.4 |
| 16.5 to 18.4 |
18.5 to 20.4 |
A 17 cubic foot model should be compared with others in the 16.5 to 18.4 cubic
feet range.
Next, compare the yearly energy costs and the purchase price.
To find out which model will save you the most money over the life of the appliance, consider
both the yearly energy cost shown on the Energy Guide label and the purchase price.
| |
Purchase Price |
Energy Cost |
| Model "A" |
$670 |
$52 |
| Model "B" |
$610 |
$90 |
1. Subtract the lower from the higher purchase price: $670 - $610 = $60
2. Subtract the lower energy cost from the higher cost: $90 - $52 = $38
3. Divide the purchase price difference (step 1) by the energy cost (step 2): $60 / $38 = 1.57
years.
The result shows that Model A's energy efficiency will make up for its higher price in a little
more than one and a half years. How much can you save over time?
Compare models this way:
4. The average refrigerator lasts 15 years; the average separate freezer, 15.
Take that life expectancy and multiply it by the difference in energy savings you figured
in step 2: 15 x $38 = $570.
That's the amount you'd save by buying Model A. So, while its purchase price is more, it's
clearly the best buy. As energy costs rise, savings will be higher.
Compare defrost systems.
Appliances with and without automatic defrost systems are grouped in the same Energy
Guide categories. Automatic defrost models use more energy. You'll have to decide whether or
not this convenience outweighs the extra energy cost.
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