At a Glance:
What Are Energy Star Appliances?
Energy Star Appliances vs. Regular Appliances
Recommended Energy Star Refrigerators
Recommended Energy Star Cooking Appliances
Recommended Energy Star Dishwasher
Recommended Energy Star Laundry Appliances
Reducing your carbon footprint can be as easy as using your appliances. At least, that’s if your home is equipped with Energy Star appliances, which not only help save the environment, but they put some green back into your pockets too. If you’re unsure how to tell if the appliances you have at home or ones you’re shopping for meet the standard, allow us to give you the info you’re looking for. Follow along to learn more.
Discover the Best Energy Efficient Appliance Deals
Shop the latest Energy Star appliances from our wide selection at Don's Appliances.
Shop NowWhat Are Energy Star Appliances?
Energy Star appliances have gone through a rigorous regimen to be labeled as such by the US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency because of their energy efficiency. They use less energy than regular appliances, helping consumers thereby save on utility costs while also reducing a household’s carbon footprint.
Specifically, Energy Star Appliances save a household anywhere from 10% to as much as 85% in energy costs even if the initial cost is the same or more than a regular appliance. In addition, these appliances also need to meet high standards of performance and advanced features that ultimately minimize their energy consumption.
- For standard-sized refrigerators, the latest Energy Star requirement is an Annual Energy Consumption of less than or equal to 637 kWh per year or at least 27% more efficient than federal requirements.
- Electric cooking appliances (i.e., ovens, ranges, and cooktops) require an Annual Energy Consumption of less than 195 kWh per year.
- Dishwashers, washers, and dryers are required to meet both energy efficiency and decreased water usage to be considered an Energy Star efficient appliance.
If you’re in the market for a new appliance and want to make sure you purchase one that is Energy Star-rated. All you need to do is check the outside of the appliance and look for the ENERGY STAR label. There are three different types of labels that you should be aware of:
⭐The standard ENERGY STAR label means that the particular appliance you’re considering meets the minimum requirements to be considered an Energy Star appliance.
⭐⭐If the label says “Save More” ENERGY STAR, then the appliance will be more efficient than the standard but not quite as efficient as the top standard.
⭐⭐⭐ The “Most Efficient” ENERGY STAR label indicates that this appliance is heads above the standard and “save more” options and will be the most efficient of the three options available.
Learn More: How Energy Efficient Appliances are Saving the Planet
Energy Star Appliances vs. Regular Appliances
The main purpose of energy saving kitchen appliances is to do the job it’s designed to do while expending the least amount of energy. Non-energy-efficient appliances, on the other hand, perform their jobs without regarding energy or water consumption. When considering whether or not an Energy Star-rated appliance is necessary or even worth it, consider the many incentives—including the long-term cost savings and efficiency to operate—and even the long-term health benefits when changing certain cooking appliances like gas ranges to induction ranges. The benefits far outweigh that of non-Energy Star appliances, and when looking at the potential federal tax savings and/or rebates that could be available, it’s easy to see why homeowners are gravitating towards energy saving appliances.
Here’s a deeper breakdown of what that equates to for each appliance:
| Energy Star Appliance | Average Savings |
|---|---|
| Energy Star Refrigerators | Refrigerators have about a 12-year lifespan, and when you invest in an Energy Star Refrigerator, you can save around $230 over the lifetime of the appliance. Although Energy Star Refrigerators tend to have a slightly smaller capacity than regular refrigerators (between 16-20 cubic feet), there are still some models that offer more storage with great energy savings. The most cost-effective and energy-efficient models will have the freezer on top versus on the bottom, and French door refrigerators are more energy-efficient than side-by-side refrigerators. |
| Energy Star Laundry Appliances | Standard laundry appliances that have the Energy Star label use approximately 25% less energy and about 33% less water than their regular counterparts. Over the lifetime, that is a savings of approximately $550 in energy costs per year. |
| Energy Star Cooking Appliances | While cooking appliances are generally excluded from the list of energy efficiency, new technology like induction and cleaner electric-powered appliances are bring them into the picture. Energy Star cooking appliances that have the Energy Star certification, can save approximately $375 over the lifetime of the product. Keep in mind, appliances such as Energy Star cooktops and stoves aren’t typically labeled because they some may use two different fuel sources. However, when it comes to stovetops, it’s safe to assume induction models are considered compliant. |
| Energy Star Dishwashers | Modern dishwashers are among the most efficient appliances in the home today. Opting for high-efficiency dishwasher means an annual operation cost of under $40, while potentially saving homeowners (and the environment) an average of 8,000 gallons a year while using around 12% less energy. |
Recommended Energy Star Refrigerators
An efficient refrigerator not only saves money on utility bills—it keeps produce fresh, and that means you throw out spoiled food less. What’s even better is that there is a wide selection of eco-friendly fridges to choose from, such as the following models.
LG 27 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel Smart Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Shop This LG French Door Refrigerator
This Energy Star fridge packs a big punch with the industry’s largest counter-depth fridge capacity available. This is the only fridge on the market that allows you to enjoy 25% more space to stock up on all your family’s must-haves in a counter-depth feature. It also touts an easy-clean fingerprint-resistant surface, along with an internal water dispenser and ice maker.
⭐ Featured LG LRFLC2706S Review:
“I bought this refrigerator a few weeks ago and it has exceeded my expectations! Even though it is only slightly larger than my previous side-by-side, the layout allows much more storage. I like having the water dispenser inside the unit as well. The finger print resistant finish is one of my favorite features…I would highly recommend this refrigerator!”
Electrolux 21.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator
Shop This Electrolux French Door Refrigerator
This Electrolux French door fridge has a bonus feature: the ExtraAccess Door that allows you to reach 75% of your fresh food by opening only one door, thereby saving energy and money by keeping cold air inside. It also features a TemptAdapt Drawer that enables you to uniquely customize your favorite foods for entertaining keeping them at the perfect temperature. This drawer ranges in temperature from -6 to 45 degrees, which is the widest temperature range on the market.
⭐ Featured Electrolux ERMC2295AS Review:
“Design, functionality, and efficiency exceeded our expectations. The 70/30 split doors along with all the moving shelves and bins make it very easy to be organized with plenty of space for everything, which helps with door openings. You know exactly where things are and only use the door needed.”
Recommended Energy Star Cooking Appliances
Cooking is great when smart technology meets a powerful appliance, and with the latest innovations, homeowners can have their cake and eat it too. Check out what’s new when it comes to saving energy while preparing weeknight meals.
GE Profile™ 30" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Slide In Induction Range
Shop This GE Profile Induction Range
This GE Profile Energy Star stove has so many features a busy family needs to prepare all their favorite foods, including an induction cooktop that makes stovetop cooking quick and efficient giving you more precise temperature control and easy cleanup. It also comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, enabling users to control oven settings right from the app on your phone. True Convection with Precise Air is a feature that uses a third heating element and a fan that reverses air and circulation for the highest level of heat.
⭐ Featured GE Profile PHS930YPFS Review:
“Excellent induction top and the oven is a breeze. Controls are easily reachable without messing up a sleeve or burning yourself. WiFi and Bluetooth make it easier than ever. Highly recommend this, in this price range.”
Café™ 36" Stainless Steel Induction Cooktop
Shop This Cafe Induction Cooktop
This Cafe 36” Induction is one of the best Energy Star cooktops on the market, featuring four induction cooking elements that will cook each item to your exact specification every time by delivering rapid, accurate heat. Almost as important as its most efficient heating abilities is the easy clean surface after all that yummy food has been prepared. The smooth glass surface with glide touch controls and induction technology that doesn’t allow spills to burn makes for easy spill clean-up.
⭐ Featured Cafe CHP90362TSS Review:
“Switched from an electric cooktop to induction and absolutely love the speed and precision of it. Sleek design with no knobs makes cleaning a breeze.”
Recommended Energy Star Dishwasher
It’s pretty standard knowledge by now that handwashing dishes is far more wasteful, and when you consider high-performance dishwashers cost less than $40 a year to run—or about $3 a month—it just makes more sense to opt for an Energy Star dishwashing machine.
Bosch® 800 Series 24" Custom Panel Built In Dishwasher
This Bosch 800 series built-in dishwasher has an extremely quiet operation and comes with a third rack that adds flexibility and increased load capacity—all must-have qualities for any family. Are you tired of having to towel dry some or most of your dishes after the cycle is complete? Leave it to the CrystalDry technology that converts moisture into heat up to 176 degrees and will get dishes up to 60% drier without using any extra energy. Then, the ability to monitor your dishwasher remotely and receive cycle status notifications is all possible with the Home Connect app, which gives you complete control even when out and about.
⭐Featured Bosch SHV78CM3N Review:
“It runs quiet. The panel-ready feature was easy to accommodate. I like the track options inside. The dishes are cleaned well. It connects to the phone if you're interested in knowing when it's running and complete. Because it's so quiet I at times don't know if it's running …”
Recommended Energy Star Laundry Appliances
You might not find cash from your pockets in a washer or dryer after doing a load, but Energy Star washers and dryers put money back into your pockets with low operation costs. That’s a win-win, and models like the following are great examples.
LG 5.0 Cu. Ft. Black Steel Front Load Washer
This LG 5.0 Cu. Ft. black steel front load washer power-cleans standards loads in under 30 minutes with TurboWash 360. Five powerful jets spray your clothes from multiple directions and angles to ensure the detergent is being absorbed by every item for a deep, complete clean every time. A new addition to the market is AI fabric sensor technology, a built-in feature that determines the texture of the fabric, soil level, and load size, then will chooses the right wash motion, temperature, and more for increased fabric care.
⭐Featured LG WM6700HBA Review:
“Does a great job cleaning, even my grandchildren's muddy clothes. Lots of customizable options.”
Miele 24" Lotus White Front Load Electric Dryer
This Miele 24” electric features EcoDry technology for shorter drying times along with low energy usage. Like all Miele appliances, this efficient dryer is carefully engineered, including patented Miele Filtration System and the maintenance-free heat exchanger, lint is unable to build up within the heat exchanger, which would otherwise cause blockages and decrease power output long-term. With EcoDry technology, this Miele heat pump dryer work effectively and economically throughout the lifespan of the appliance.
Energy Star Appliances meet strict energy-efficient guidelines set by the United States EPA, which will ultimately save energy and money while also helping protect the climate with fewer gas emissions. That’s why we’re big fans of these appliances and recommend them to homeowners. If you’re in the market for a new Energy Star appliance and you live in the Pittsburgh area, there’s nowhere else to shop but Don’s Appliances where quality, selection, and great customer service is top notch.
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop Energy Star Appliances at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop appliances online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you save more with Energy Star appliances — 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!
Learn More: GE Front Load Washers: 9 Features You'll Want