| Energy efficiency is an integral part of living a green | | | | specialty sellers have products that are ENERGY |
| lifestyle. We all have appliances that break down or | | | | STAR approved. Newer models must almost always |
| stop working efficiently. The key question is the | | | | meet this requirement. Whether you are shopping at |
| following: What should I do when that happens | | | | Lowe's Home Improvements, Sears, Best Buy, |
| consistent with living green? | | | | Costco or the Home Depot, you will find a wide |
| Here some suggestions in line with the idea of energy | | | | selection of ENERGY STAR rated options from the |
| conservation, recycling, and following a green lifestyle. | | | | least expensive up to the top of the line. |
| There are home appliances and products for the | | | | Because of the need to save energy, using ENERGY |
| office that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating, | | | | STAR approved appliances not only makes sense but |
| which means that they are within the efficiency | | | | will, in the long run, save money for the consumer on |
| guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency | | | | utility bills. Some Energy Star products qualify for a |
| (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) as being | | | | tax credit due to recent incentives. However, |
| cost effective and/or producing less waste. These | | | | ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient |
| agencies have deemed these products to be energy | | | | products that, although they may cost more to |
| efficient. By choosing appliances, heating and cooling | | | | purchase than standard models, will pay you back in |
| systems, electronics and office equipment, that have | | | | lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, |
| the ENERGY STAR designation, you can be sure that | | | | without a tax credit. When you can both help the |
| you are purchasing a product that is among the most | | | | environment and save money, you have a double win |
| energy efficient available. | | | | for your green lifestyle. |
| Today, virtually all newer homes start off with | | | | It is important when you are making any home |
| energy efficient appliances and systems that are a | | | | improvements or replacing any broken or out-dated |
| saving energy and money. Older homes often do not | | | | appliances recycle the old ones. Most retailers will haul |
| have brand new equipment, and the appliances may | | | | away your old appliance for free or at a minimal cost |
| not be energy efficient. As a result, they will also be | | | | when you buy a new Energy Star approved model. |
| more expensive to operate. It's always good to keep | | | | Also, if you are looking to upgrade your windows in |
| in mind that when you are replacing an item, always | | | | your home there are ENERGY STAR rated windows |
| buy a newer version which has earned of ENERGY | | | | that, when installed properly, will be a great asset to |
| STAR rating. You will know that you will be doing | | | | your home in the struggle to control the high cost of |
| your best in the effort to use less energy and | | | | heating. Look for double pane windows and be sure |
| produce less waste. You will also save money over | | | | that all of the surrounding area of the window is well |
| the useful lifetime of the appliance. | | | | sealed, not allowing the cold air in the winter or hot |
| All retailers from the largest appliance chains to the | | | | outside air in the summer. |