Appliances

Dim lights

We’re not talking sacrifice here. Some of the new appliances work better, look better, and have more features yet consume half of the electricity of an older model.

The first place to look is appliances that you really don’t need. For example, do you really need that old second refrigerator? The old beast probably costs you a fortune—particularly if you have it out in the hot carport or garage. If you can get rid of it you’ll likely keep $330 in your pocket. In fact, upgrading your primary refrigerator to a larger, ENERGY STAR® refrigerator will be a savings over two smaller more inefficient refrigerators.

If your appliances are over 10 years old, new appliances can save a lot on your electricity bill. Again, refrigerators are the best place for savings. Switching from a 1990 model to a 2009 ENERGY STAR® refrigerator would save you about $218 per year.

When buying a new appliance, consider the energy efficiency of the item along with the sale price. This is like looking at the miles per gallon when buying a new car. The decision you make today will affect your electricity bill for years to come. By installing energy efficient appliances (such as ENERGY STAR®), a family can save an average of nearly $80 a year on energy costs (depending on the items and their usage). The cost of energy efficient appliances is typically higher than standard models, but the money saved over time will more than cover that initial cost.

Read the Energy Guide labels to compare energy costs (note that Hawaii will have twice the operating cost due to high price of electricity). The guide allows you to compare estimated annual operating costs between comparable models in order to select the most efficient appliance for your money. The Energy Guide labels are required on water heaters, refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, and room air conditioners.
ENERGY STAR® and Green Seal labels are efficient choices. This label is only awarded to appliances that significantly exceed the minimum national standards, so keep an eye out for these labels. ENERGY STAR® appliances are about 25% more efficient than average appliances of that type.

To sweeten the deal, Hawaii Energy provides cash rebates of $40 - $110 for qualifying energy efficient appliances, including ceiling fans, clothes washers, dish washers, refrigerators and room air conditioners. From January 2010 Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai will also be able to participate in the ENERGY STAR® rebate program.

Where to dispose/recyle your old appliances:

Oahu Residents
Maui Residents
Hawaii Residents
Kauai Residents