Friday, April 4, 2014

Choosing an Energy-Efficient Refrigerator

Beginning in 2014, the minimum federal efficiency standard for refrigerators will be reduced, lowering the annual energy bill for a 20-cubic-foot refrigerator to about 390 kWh. Energy Star models will use even less energy than that. These days it is fairly easy to find a full-size refrigerator that requires only 350-500 kWh per year, which is significantly less than the 1000 kWh/year refrigerators of 30+ years ago. Therefore, it is important to understand the different models and to choose an energy efficient refrigerator that best suits your needs.
First, consumers need to choose a small, simple refrigerator that does not include all the extra bells and whistles that waste energy. Think about how much space you need in a refrigerator, as going with a compact or half-sized model could be the best option for you. There are many different models, specifically by Igloo, Haier and Black & Decker that include how much kWh per year in energy they use along with the dollar amount you will spend on that refrigerator in energy per year (see below, example of Black & Decker BCE46B Energy Guide).


With all that being said, it may be better to choose a newer model refrigerator. Newer models will be more energy-efficient and will save you money over the course of the year.
The next fine point to pay attention to is the Energy Star qualification. If you choose an energy star qualified refrigerator, that will save you roughly $30-$40 over the course of one year on your energy bill alone. Many newer models have the Energy Star qualification, and can be seen on the description or model plate of the unit.
Lastly, explore your options. Evaluate the comparison between energy usage and the size of the unit that you want. Try and find something that will meet both your needs before settling with one or the other. In most cases, you will be able to balance the cost of energy usage per year with the model that you want.
CoreCentric Solutions has a variety of compact and full-sized refrigerator options that can fit your needs. Our unique grading system allows you to not only save money by purchasing a 100% functional, refurbished model, but each model includes a label that explains how energy-efficient the unit is. For more information on purchasing or seeing our inventory, please visit http://www.corecentricsolutions.com/published/closeoutliquidations.

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