Greg VanDerWerker and Energy-Efficient Home Appliances

Association member Greg VanderWerker has found a way to be environmentally friendly without stepping outside his front door. He recently installed an energy efficient air conditioner that carries an Energy Star certification.

In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency introduced Energy Star, a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This agency works with more than 9,000 public and private sector organizations, including many that manufacture and sell Energy Star labeled environmentally friendly products. According to Energy Star, the average American homeowner spends about $1,900 on energy costs annually.

By changing to more energy efficient appliances, Greg can save not only on energy costs, but also the environment.

Listed below are just some of the practical things that Greg and others at Kiawah are also doing to conserve both money and energy.

Electric Bulbs The easiest way to start saving energy is by replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The CFLs are more expensive, but they save on costs in the long term by using at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and lasting up to ten-times longer. A home can save $30 or more in energy costs over each CFL bulb’s lifetime. CFLs are also environmentally friendly. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star-qualified CFL bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.

Refrigerators and Freezers The refrigerator is the single biggest energy-consuming kitchen appliance. Energy Star qualified refrigerators require about half as much energy as models manufactured before 1993. Top freezers are generally more efficient than side-by-side models.

Central Air Conditioners About one-seventh of all the electricity generated in the U.S. is used for air conditioning. Air conditioners that are Energy Star qualified have an eight percent higher efficiency rating than standard models. Though Energy Star air conditioners can be more expensive, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills. Make sure when you buy a new air conditioner, to get quality installation. It is important to get a contractor who can do the job right. It is equally important to seal your home and air conditioning ducts properly.

Clothes Washing Machines Compared to old models made before 1994, an Energy Star qualified clothes washer can save up to $110 per year on utility bills. These washers use 50 percent less energy and water than standard washers, and they extract more water from clothes during the spin cycle, thus reducing the drying time and saving energy. They are available in both top and front-loading designs.

Clothes Dryers To-date, clothes dryers do not carry the Energy Star name because most of them (both new and old) use the same amount of energy. However, to reduce the amount of energy clothes dryers use, Energy Star recommends the following:

• Use the moisture sensor option that automatically shuts off the machine when the clothes are dry.
• Use the high spin speed or the extended spin option to reduce the amount of moisture.
• Air-dry clothes whenever possible.

Dishwashers Compared to dishwashers made before 1994, the dishwashers approved by Energy Star use at least 41 percent less energy and water and can save more than $30 a year in utility costs. Also, because they use less water, they can save an additional $90 over their lifetime.

Dehumidifiers Energy Star qualified dehumidifiers have more refrigeration coils, compressors and fans than conventional models and can remove moisture by using less energy. The energy savings could power a refrigerator for six months.

Electronic Equipment Home entertainment equipment and other electronic equipment like computers, printers, speakers, etc. are difficult to include in our list of energy-saving appliances because of the extensive variety of models, differing prices and subjective consumer preferences. Suffice it to say, many of these products consume energy even when they are turned off. For more information regarding energy saving techniques, please contact your local electric company to inquire about their energy-saving programs and free audits for saving energy in your home. The local electric cooperative here, for example, has what it calls “The Home Energy Saver” which is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy. This project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the national Energy Star Program.