As climate change becomes a pressing topic more each day, the battle to reverse carbon emissions has shifted from a suggestion to a necessity, yet current trends show more emissions are produced today than 10 years ago. Rescuing the planet is no easy job, but even small changes make a big impact. One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is by replacing outdated appliances with efficient models.
Seattle real estate experts, Redfin, address the issue in their article “Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home,” demonstrating quick and easy methods homeowners can adopt to optimize energy and water conservation at home. To add to the conversation, our appliance experts reveal how making the transition can be a benefit to your home, the environment, and your wallet.
Save Money on Utility Costs
Saving the planet is a noble cause, but keeping money in your pocket is one more reason everyone can get behind. On average, household appliances account for up to 30 percent of a home’s total utility costs. However, eco-friendly appliances help save up to 50 percent of energy costs as another incentive for reducing your home’s carbon footprint.
How much savings? According to ENERGY STAR®, replacing a dishwasher with an energy efficient model alone can conserve around 3,870 gallons of water over the course of its lifetime. For a typical dishwasher with a 10-year lifespan, that’s 387 gallons a year alone.
Lower Your Carbon Footprint
To date, about 35 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere annually, of which, around 20 percent is attributed to domestic energy consumption, according to a U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey. Switching to energy-efficient appliances can reduce your household’s use to about half, which can potentially bring us closer to reducing carbon emissions by half that of before 2005 — greatly impacting the emissions produced overall.
Increase Your Home’s Resale Value
It’s true — more and more home buyers are keeping an eye out for the telltale blue-and-white logo that reassures the home they’ll be moving into is prepped for maximum energy and water efficiency. That’s especially true when it comes to built-in appliances, which are costly to replace with more efficient models. As an added bonus, energy-efficient homes in some areas even qualify for tax credits and rebates, which means more value for future buyers and another plus for sellers.
Energy Efficient Appliances Abide by Strict Standards
High performance standards created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ensure only qualified home appliances can be labeled ENERGY STAR certified. In order to pass the standards, appliances must be able to perform their tasks at a fraction of the energy use of conventional models. That not only equates to savings but also peace of mind, knowing each certified appliance has been thoroughly tested for the best performance.
Energy Efficient Appliances are Designed with Better Parts
Reducing the carbon footprint from appliance use requires innovative manufacturing that performs better and smarter. Many energy-efficient appliances ditch old technology in lieu of new-age mechanics that work less and last longer.
A few examples include:
- Direct drive motors, which use less parts for increased efficiency
- Heat pumps, which use refrigerants to heat dryer air instead of electricity
- Front load washers, which use a tub design, require less water overall
Get a Rebate for Switching to Energy Efficient Appliances
If you haven’t fully embraced your inner eco-warrior, consider looking into rebates in your area. Depending on where you live, you can find retailers and ENERGY STAR products near you that qualify for a rebate. That means you can save money on the purchase price, save even more with lower operation costs, and help save the planet all while doing it.
Shop Energy Efficient Products at Don’s Appliances
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop energy efficient appliances online at Don’s Appliances. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you build an energy efficient home — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!