Just how did the idea for a government program to encourage energy efficiency in appliances come about? Let me give you a quick history of the program.
Depending on your age, you may have lived through the OPEC oil embargo and energy crisis of 1973-74. I was a child then, but still remember the panic and shock at sudden rises in gas and fuel costs, the long gas lines, and the fear that we may not be able to fuel our eight-cylinder, gas-guzzling cars or purchase oil to heat our homes in the future. This particular crisis did pass (it returned in 1979, only to pass again), but it left behind a concern for the first time about the amount of electricity appliances and other durables used.
In 1975, legislation was passed to create a program which came to be called Energy Star. It's purpose was to set minimum standards for electricity and fuel efficiency, to set future guidelines and deadlines to manufacturers to save energy, and also to incent (rebate) consumers to purchase these more efficent appliances.
**For a fuller explanation, I include a link at the end of this blog.
Energy Star didn't just target appliances, of course.
Windows, heating and air conditioning units, auto and truck efficiency guidelines ... these are all also part of the plan to gradually but steadily reduce the amount of energy we use.
Has the program been a success? Absolutely! A few months ago I wrote about some specific, "apple to apple" comparisons of clothes washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators (if you're interested, click back one page and then click on my 1-6-25 entry). Check it out; the savings is always significant. In some cases, especially when comparing older products, the savings you'll see on your electric bill can be amazing!
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| EnergyGuide for an Electrolux ELTE7600 wash tower |
So how much do you save purchasing an Energy Star qualified appliance vs. non - Estar? Since the Energy Star program has made ALL appliances more efficient, the difference between current models might not be as dramatic. Frequently however, utility companies offer incentives in the form of rebates on qualifying models. These rebates, plus the savings to your electric bill, can really add up!
Utility companies do update their rebate incentives periodically, and different utility companies (for example, cities and towns that have a municipally owned electric provider) will have a different program than the larger providers. For specifics on current programs, you can check your electric companies' webpage, or you can talk with any of the sales professionals working in our twelve locations.
Now, let's suppose you are in the market for, let's say, a new refrigerator or washer, and you want to know which current models qualify for Energy Star status. The link below will bring you to the current eligible models. In some cases, you may notice that the DOE separates qualifying models into different tiers as well.
httsps://www.energystar.gov/producthttsps://www.energystar.gov/product
Remember, here at Manny's we can not only give you up to date information on energy efficiency, but we also provide guaranteed pricing, fast delivery, advice from experienced professionals, and service after the sale. And don't forget - we often offer exclusive rebates not available at the Big Box stores!!
If you have any questions, you can reach out to any of the sales pros working at our twelve (Pittsfield is now open!) locations.
**If you're curious about the history of the Energy Star program, I found this link very informative:
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