City Government

High-Efficiency Appliances

Your Kitchen: The Source For Up To 40% Of Your Energy Bill

The average kitchen accounts for 20 to 40% of a home’s total energy bill. If your refrigerator and dishwasher are more than 10 years old, you can most likely reduce your utility bills by replacing these appliances with high-efficiency models. There’s an initial investment to upgrade old appliances, but chances are you’ll appreciate the superior performance and lower utility bills.

Look For The Labels

EnerGuide: The EnerGuide label shows the total annual energy the appliance will consume yearly under average operation. You can use the rating to compare your options for electrical appliances.

ENERGY STAR: An ENERGY STAR label means that a product meets stringent energy requirements. Note: ovens and ranges aren’t included in the program, given the inherent inefficiency of these appliances.

Select The Best Appliance Size

Refrigerators: In general, models with the freezer on the top or bottom use up to 25% less energy than comparable side-by-side models. Refrigerators work more efficiently when full.

Dishwashers: Compact dishwashers use less water and energy per wash, but if you have to use it more than once a day, it’s likely more efficient to use a standard size. Like refrigerators, dishwashers operate most efficiently when full.

Did You Know?
You shouldn’t position your dishwasher next to the refrigerator. The heat produced by the dishwasher causes your refrigerator to work harder.