Make a Cool Change: Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances

All of Your Appliances Can Be Energy-Efficient

Refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, water heaters, air conditioners and heaters are the top five appliances that use the most kilowatt-hours and suck away your ability to save money. Homes used up 1.1 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2010, according to Max Jaffe, founder and CEO of Spending Solutions, Inc. When many people think of energy-efficient appliances, they often focus only on HVAC systems, refrigerators and water heaters. As noted by BHG Real Estate, there are a variety of appliances that can be improved with the energy-efficient treatment. Stoves, washers, dryers and furnaces all have energy-efficient models. You may even be able to cut down on your electricity use further with energy-efficient coffee makers, toasters, microwaves and more. Everything that uses electricity has an energy-efficient model. Televisions, computers, monitors and other entertainment devices can also use significant amounts of energy and are often available in energy-efficient formats.

Energy-efficiency doesn’t stop at the acquisition of new appliances. If you truly want to save money on your electricity bills, you should consider even more comprehensive solutions. Solar panel systems also offer government credits toward their installation and can drastically reduce a household’s electricity bill. CFL bulbs and energy-efficient power strips are a small, yet effective way to further reduce a household’s overall energy footprint.