You’ve probably seen a tag with the words “Energy Star Certified” on various appliances. You know this means it does something positive for your electric bill, but you might not know exactly what energy star ratings are or how they work. It’s understandable, as it’s not something the average person looks into. Continue reading if you’re interested in learning more about these Energy Star ratings, how they work, and how to possibly decrease your electric rates.
What does it mean?
To put it briefly, an energy star certified appliance is one that is certified to be at the same level or a better level of energy usage from an industry standard. These appliances must meet criteria that align with the United States Department of Energy or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is a government-run agency that provides unbiased research to ensure that Energy Star is correct and certified. This means that those Energy Star products will save you money that you’re usually spending with your utility company. Meanwhile, by using these certified products, you’re also protecting the environment by reducing the emissions that come from various household products like natural gas.
Since many household items are offered as Energy Star certified, it’s worth getting these certified items to cut down on your electric bill and support a more responsible green energy agenda. When you’re shopping, look for the blue and white star logo for a smart buy.
Which common appliances are Energy Star certified?
You can find a wide variety of options when you’re shopping for household appliances. By choosing Energy Star certified appliances rather than the standard you are saving yourself money on your electric bill, but also choosing a better option for the environment. Some appliances that are Energy Star certified include light bulbs, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, furnaces, televisions, and even computers. If you’re searching for a particular appliance, you can search their product database to find the appliances you need within their guidelines. Let’s say that you need a dishwasher. By purchasing an Energy Star certified dishwasher, you can save 1,900 gallons of water every year. You can look to see if your appliance is simply Energy Star certified or Energy Star most efficient. The most efficient title is rewarded to appliances that are at the top of the line when it comes to conserving energy.
What other ways are there to save?
The appliances you have within your home add a huge cost to your electric bill every month, so by purchasing Energy Star-certified items, you can cut down on that bill. However, electricity rates depend on the electric supplier that you have as well. There’s a wide range of electric providers out there that offer different deals, rates, and contract terms. With all of this being said, it’s worthwhile to compare electricity providers. Certain comparison tools, like iSelect, allow you to compare different utility companies. All you have to do is share a few details about your house and the type of energy needs that you have. Their experts will help you navigate electric plan options, renewable energy opportunities, and new electric service providers to get you the plan you need at the lowest price. Overall, it’s a great option to compare energy suppliers so that you can save yourself money in the long run.
By combining the use of Energy Star certified products and considering a new electricity supplier, you can ensure that you’re getting the best electricity rates. This way, you can relax knowing you’re doing all that you can to save money and help the environment in the process.
