The only way to ensure that you are purchasing an energy efficient appliance is to look for the Energy Star label.

In addition to the Energy Star label, consider following these additional tips on appliances:

Dishwashers

-Older dis

hwashers require a water supply of at least 130°F. Newer dishwashers have a small water heater to boost water temperature to about 140°F in order to save standby losses of the water heater.

Clothes Washers
-Horizontal-axis

machines save 50-75% of both energy and water compared to most vertical-axis models.
-ENERGY STAR qualifica

tion requires 1.42 MEF since in 2004. (MEF is the Modified Energy Factor, compared to EF)

Clothes Dryers
-Cleaning the dryer lint filter after each cycle minimizes drying time
-Dryer and vent should be thoroughly cleaned every few years.
-The vent should be a smooth metal pipe, sealed at joints with silicon caulking. (The picture here is an example of incorrect venting as seen in many households.)

Refrigerators and Freezers
Refrigerators account for 9% to 15% of a household's total energy consumption, running day and night 365 days a year. According to ENERGY STAR, the most efficient standard refrigerators use less than 500 kW-hours of electricity per year.
-Keep freezers as full as possible.
-Defrost the freezer when 1/4 inch of frost has accumulated.
-Minimize refrigerator or freezer door openings.
-Clean the coils on refrigerators and freezers with a soft brush once a year.
-Keep the vent clear of dust.

When selecting a new refrigerator, consider the following:
-Automatic defrost models waste energy. Choose a manual defrost model.
-Side-by-side refrigerator/freezers use more energy than units that have the freezer compartment on the top or bottom.
-Upright freezers use more energy than chest freezers.
-Operating two refrigerators uses far more energy than one larger model.