| Purchasing a new refrigerator for your home can | | | | on each model. |
| definitely help you save on the ever rising energy | | | | The yellow Energy Guide label will allow you to |
| costs. If you have a fifteen year old refrigerator, then | | | | compare the estimated cost to operate the various |
| you will definitely want to consider the fact that it is | | | | models. However, while most Energy Star models will |
| probably the right time to replace it. | | | | typically cost a bit more, the money you save on your |
| The question that needs to be asked is what should | | | | electric bill will typically more than make up for any |
| your look for when you are shopping for a new | | | | difference. Most utility companies will offer you up to |
| refrigerator for your home. Going out and purchasing a | | | | twenty five dollars back on the purchase of qualifying |
| new refrigerator is a big deal, because in the typical | | | | Energy Star refrigerators from a participating utility |
| home the refrigerator is the third largest energy user. | | | | company retailer. To receive this type of rebate you |
| So, it definitely makes sense that you look not only at | | | | also must agree to recycle your old refrigerator, which |
| the many features that are available, but that you also | | | | the utility will do for you free. |
| take a look at the energy use of each model that you | | | | Simply put, old refrigerators and freezers from the |
| are considering. | | | | early 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s are big energy wasters. |
| After you have found the basic features that you are | | | | When you purchase an old appliance at a garage sale |
| looking for, which a very easy place for you to start is | | | | or even when you pass them on to relatives just |
| by looking for models with the Energy Star symbol. | | | | compounds energy inefficiency. In addition to inefficient |
| Energy Star refrigerators are at least fifteen percent | | | | energy use, the refrigerant used in the old refrigerators |
| more efficient than the minimum federal efficiency | | | | and freezers is classified as a greenhouse gas and |
| standards. That is because they use improved and | | | | should be kept out of the environment. |
| high efficiency compressors. The new models | | | | However, with out the proper decommissioning, the |
| available on the market will also have more insulation | | | | refrigerant gas in these old units often escapes into |
| and more precise temperature and defrosting controls, | | | | the environment, creating problems with the earth's |
| which will help you save even more energy. | | | | atmosphere. While there may not be any rebate on |
| If a refrigerator is more than fifteen years old, then you | | | | the Energy Star models, if you are in the market for a |
| will find that a new Energy Star qualified model will only | | | | freezer, be sure to look for the Energy Star label, |
| require about half as much electricity as the old one, | | | | which there is a rebate. Energy Star qualified freezer |
| which means that your utility bill will be cheaper. As you | | | | models use at least ten percent less energy than |
| compare the different models, you will also want to | | | | required by current federal standards. |
| take a good long look at the yellow Energy Guide label | | | | |