Have you been paying utility bills more than what you wanted to? It’s depressing, right? Same here, my utility bills are so high that they’re eating up my budget.

Then, you need a “green” to your problems. It’s time for you to replace your old appliances with energy-efficient ones, especially those with an Energy Star certification. By doing so, you are able to do three things: save more, reduce home energy consumption by 10-50%.

From energystar.gov, “Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. According to Energy Star, Americans saved enough energy in 2009 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 30 million cars — all while saving nearly $17 billion on their utility bills. To ensure that all products are energy-efficient, Energy Star sets forth energy-efficient requirements which are based on the following set of key guiding principles (from energystar.gov):

Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide. Qualified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.

If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through lowering utility bills within a reasonable period of time.

Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.

Product energy consumption and performance can be measured and verified with testing. Labeling would effectively differentiate products and be visible for purchasers. You may have a high-end model refrigerator that’s been with your for ten years or may be even more, but it’s been eating your budget ever since. Newer models of appliances are built with energy-saving features that allow you to save from $100-200 of energy costs annually. Energy-saving appliances can be expensive but you can save more on your electric bills in four years or so which substantiates for those extra costs.

If you replace your older model with an Energy Star high-efficiency dishwasher, you can definitely save money on your electric bill since you’ll be using 25% less energy than an older model. Other than that, you’ll also be saving 5,000 gallons of water annually. Thus, you can save money, energy and water all at the same time with an Energy Star high-efficiency dishwasher.

When you’re going “greener”, saving water is your greatest contribution to mankind and to planet Earth. Experts have forecasted that fresh water may become planet Earth’s most valuable resource. Saving up water today will give everyone enough water in the near future.

Almost all American homes are equipped with a washer and dryer. However, utilizing a 10-15 year old washer or dryer, will only make electric bills higher than what you can afford to pay. Purchasing green appliances, such as green washers and dryers can be costly but in the long run, you get to save a lot.

So, getting your old washer out of your home and swapping it with a horizontal axis washing machine, is your smartest and the most economical choices you’ll ever take for a longer term. The replacement is a sure opportunity for you to save up $120 a year or even more on your electric bills, which can still compensate for the price of your newly bought horizontal axis washing machine. Aside from saving up energy and money, these machines have other advantages as well.

Horizontal axis machines can fit into smaller spaces. Other than this, they’re quieter and allow you to wash large loads of laundry while using lesser amount of detergent. That way, you’re only putting fewer chemicals into your home’s waste water stream.

On the other hand, getting a dryer that’s equipped with moisture and temperature sensors is also one of the best green choices you’ll be making. Unlike other dryers that run for a set time, a moisture-temperature-sensor-equipped dryer will shut off earlier if the clothes inside it are already dry enough. Other than your energy savings, you can even save your clothes from possible wear and tear and you don’t have to keep on replacing them as well.

Compared to conventional models of dryers, sealed combustion gas clothes dyers use up lesser energy. It’s also beneficial for your health since they expel only a few gases that get into your home. But among all the dyers mentioned, nothing could ever beat the greenest and the most traditional way of drying your clothes.

Hanging up your wet clothes to dry can be tiring and time consuming. But they’ll dry up shortly on a bright and sunny day. Putting up a clothesline on your backyard is an old-fashioned technique but an environment and money saver as well!

Undoubtedly, appliances are expensive. But when you start taking your utility bills and carbon footprints into consideration, you’ll realize that energy-efficient appliances will do more for you in the long run. Energy-efficient appliances should be given a main green consideration because they’ve got nothing to offer you, your wallet, and the environment but plain happiness!

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