Holiday Break #4 Great Family Gift: Best Refrigerator

in Air Quality,Build Green - Air,Build Green - Energy,Build That Green Blog,Energy Efficiency,Kitchen

Rebates today, discounted bills for decades!

In this series, we focus upon one of 12 smart ways to give yourself Holiday Breaks at Home:

Still shopping for your Iron Chef? Here’s my cheat sheet for finding the perfect refrigerator that is both top quality and most efficient.

Right Size, Right Place

Try to find extra space for the egg nog and the cheese ball and it’s tempting to think that you need a larger refrigerator.  Maybe so, but probably not.

Rather than sizing up for the holiday feasts, think about how much room you normally need. Refrigerators last at least 15 to 20 years and family needs often change over time.

Larger refrigerators simply use more electricity than smaller ones. So over-sizing it will cost you in food quality and energy costs.

The California Energy Commission says a full refrigerator retains cold better than an empty one. The mass of cold items enables the refrigerator to recover more quickly after the door has been opened.

Also keep in mind during the holidays everything you routinely have in the fridge may be better off cleared out – forgotten leftovers, nearly empty cocktail sauce bottles, and old jelly jars, etc.

Energy Star has Improved

More efficient newer appliances perform better than older ones.  Starting in 2011, Energy Star refrigerators must be at least 20% more efficient (previously it was 15%) than a non-qualified model.  Over your new fridge’s lifetime you will cut your energy bills by $165 says the Department of Energy.

Though all new refrigerators use much less energy than one made 10 years ago, recent improvements in insulation and compressors should motivate you to switch.

The best refrigerator has a variable-speed compressor and vacuum-insulated panels.
Top-freezers have fewer extra features but tend to be less expensive and more energy efficient.

Expect these energy savings from some recommended top models:

  • Uses 31% less energy: Side-by-sides: Samsung   RS265TD[WP], $1,300. 26-cu.ft., with icemaker
  • Uses 20% less energy: Side-by-sides: Bosch Linea 800  B22CS80SN[S], $2,700. 22-cu.ft., with icemaker
  • Uses 30% less energy Top Freezer: Frigidaire Gallery   FGUI2149L[P], $850. 21-cu.ft. , no icemaker
  • Uses 20% less energy Top-freezer:  Kenmore 7930[2], $960 22-cu.ft., no icemaker
  • Uses 30% less energy: French-door bottom-freezer: LG LFC25776, $1,350. 25-cu.ft., no icemaker
  • Uses 20% less energy: French-door bottom-freezer: Whirlpool GX5FHTXV, $1,700. 25-cu.ft., no icemaker
  • Uses 30% less energy: Bottom-freezers: Whirlpool   GB2FHDXW[Q], $1,200. 22-cu.ft., no icemaker
  • Uses 21% less energy: Bottom-freezers: Amana   ABB2224WE[W], $1,000. 22-cu.ft., no icemaker

Since Energy Star qualified refrigerators use less energy, they also reduce our impact on the environment. Nearly 70% of U.S. electricity is generated with coal and natural gas, which release greenhouse gasses into the air and add to local climate change.

Get Multiple Gifts…ah, Rebates

It’s not time consuming to get multiple rebates or tax credits for your new appliance from manufactures, States, utilities, and even the Federal government.

Check here:
a. Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

b. Energy Star’s List of Cash Rebates

Oh, and take a minute to use this fun Refrigerator Retirement Calculator to see how much you can save with a newer Energy Star refrigerator.

This is one Christmas ‘Star’ that I feel certain you want to ‘chill out’ with and enjoy discounted electric bills for years!

Click Here to View all 12 Ideas

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