OFFICE OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY, STATE AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMSENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Buildings forthe 21st CenturyBuildings that are moreenergy efficient, comfortable,and affordable... that’s thegoal of DOE’s Office of BuildingTechnology, State andCommunity Programs (BTS).To accelerate the developmentand wide application of energyefficiency measures, BTS:• Conducts R&D on technologies

and concepts for energy efficiency, working closely withthe building industry and withmanufacturers of materials,equipment, and appliances

• Promotes energy/money

saving opportunities to bothbuilders and buyers of homesand commercial buildings

• Works with state and local

regulatory groups to improvebuilding codes, appliancestandards, and guidelines forefficient energy use

• Provides support and grants

to states and communitiesfor deployment of energyefficient technologies andpractices

POTENTIAL FOR SAVINGSAccording to the 1997 Residential EnergyConsumption Survey, lighting and appliancesused 27% of all energy consumed in residencesand accounted for more than 45% of the energycosts. Although these figures include energyuse and costs for lighting and small appliances,a substantial portion of this use and cost is dueto major appliances such as refrigerators,washers, dryers, dishwashers, and stoves.The potential for savings is even greater thanthese numbers reflect. They do not include thecost of water, or the energy use and cost to heatthe water used by washers and dishwashers. Incooling dominated climates, energy-efficientappliances that do not excessively heat theindoor air can save additional energy bylowering air-conditioning use.The true (lifecycle) cost of an appliance is thepurchase price plus the cost to operate andmaintain it over its lifetime. The reducedoperating cost of a more energy-efficientappliance is often sufficient to quickly pay backits higher initial cost.It is important to consider appliance placementwhen designing the home. For example,placing a refrigerator or freezer near a heatsource such as an oven, dishwasher, heatingvent, or direct sunlight will cause it to use moreenergy to keep food cool.Because major appliances can remain inoperation for 15 to 20 years, it is important toconsider energy use and its impact on futureusers at the time of purchase. Home ownersshould consider replacing major homeappliances that are 10 to 15 years old.

ENERGYGUIDE LABEL

LOOK FOR ENERGYGUIDE LABELSFederal law requires a bright yellowEnergyGuide label to be placed on many typesof home appliances, including refrigerators,freezers, dishwashers, and clothes washers.This label allows the consumer to estimate howmuch a particular appliance will cost to operateeach year and to compare this cost amongsimilar appliances. The comparison scale onthe EnergyGuide shows the least and mostenergy used by comparable models. Thelabeled model is represented by an arrowpointing to its relative position on that scale.Choose a model that is more energy-efficientand has a lower operating cost than the leastefficient model of the product class.Although operating costs shown on theEnergyGuide are calculated using a nationalaverage energy cost, the local actual operatingcost can be easily estimated by multiplying thelocal energy rate by the estimated energy useof the appliance as listed on the EnergyGuide.

ads. Electricity use in televisions that

“off” costs the United States more

million each year. The electricity is

intain the remote control and

eatures, and to keep the filaments in

tube warm 24 hours a day.

NG AROUND PHANTOM LOADS

ble, choose an appliance without a

clock or timer. While the displays only

e about 1⁄2 Watt, the power supply in

iance is converting 120 volts of

ng current to low-voltage direct

for the clock or timer. This is very

nt and consumes 100 to 200 Wh per

is is enough energy to run a compact

ent light bulb continuously for

s.

eaving appliances with small

mers plugged in while not in use.

onsider purchasing all-in-one

ces, such as a phone with built-in

ng machine and caller id display. This

uce the number of small transformers

d in. Small transformers are power

s in plastic boxes that plug into a

d wall outlet.

ging the appliance when it is not in

ne way of avoiding phantom loads,

a power strip and switch it off when

iance is not in use.
 be replaced to prevent cold air from

ying a new unit.

ezer away from a potential heat

e the refrigerator between 37°F and

ture should be set between 0°F and

or between 10°F and 15°F if frozen

ickly.

eezers that are not being used to

gy use.

rators that are 10 to 20 years old

cent of that of a current model.

frigerators to reduce energy bills by

h, a savings of $180 per year.

urrently given to ovens and ranges.

onsider in purchasing and

d to lower energy bills.

IONS

ge if possible. The major drawback

th risks from the combustion by

ion system will minimize this risk.

tter insulated than other models, so

ent when used appropriately.

ceramic, halogen, or induction

efficient than the type containing

o easier to clean and allow for

ol.

h a low-sone rating to eliminate

ventilation. Select a model that

ure outside rather than recirculating

a range hood is not possible,

ove if selecting a gas unit.

burner. It is important to keep the igniter clean to provideflawless ignition.

DISHWASHERSOverall, dishwashers are a better and more efficient way to cleandishes than hand washing. Efficient models can use an averageof 5.8 gallons of water per load compared with hand washing,which can use up to 6.8 gallons of water for the same load.Heating water accounts for more than 80 percent of the energyused by dishwashers to clean dishes. Newer, more efficientmodels save water and energy and also tend to wash better.

PURCHASING CONSIDERATIONS

• Select an ENERGY STAR model.• Choose a model with a booster heater that has the ability to

raise water temperatures to 140°F to 145°F; this will allow

additional money to be saved by setting the water heater to120°F.

• Look for a dishwasher that provides enough cycles to handle

loads of varying food soil. This will minimize overuse of waterand energy.

• Choose a model with metered fill as opposed to timed fill. A

metered fill model uses a float to measure the water levelinside the dishwasher and to fill the unit to the correct levelregardless of the water pressure. Timed fill models are lessprecise because of water pressure variations.

• Select a dishwasher that has an air-dry or overnight-dry

feature. Heat drying quickly dries the dishes but at theexpense of increased energy use.

greater than 15 years.The energy andresource savingspotential of anefficient model canprovide an earlypayback and costsavings throughoutits life.

CLOTHES WASHERSA typical washer will cost about $1,100 to operate over itslifetime. Ninety percent of the energy used in operating awashing machine goes toward heating the water that will washand rinse the clothes. The motor uses only 10 percent of thetotal energy consumed. Most conventional washing machinesuse 25 to 40 gallons of water per complete cycle. Water-savingversions can cut water and energy usage by more than40 percent.

PURCHASING CONSIDERATIONS

• Select an ENERGY STAR model.• The most energy-efficient washing machines are horizontal

axis (typically front-loading) machines. They use about onethird the water of a conventional machine to wash the sameamount of clothes. These models also do not have agitators,which means they are gentler on clothes. They also spinclothes faster, which results in less drying time and costs.MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS

• Use the cold water settings as much as possible. Modern

detergents are designed for cold water washing. This reducesthe energy used to heat water.

• Periodically check hose fittings and screen, water-intake lines,

and drain lines for metal or sediment deposits.
 be replaced to prevent cold air from

ying a new unit.

ezer away from a potential heat

e the refrigerator between 37°F and

ture should be set between 0°F and

or between 10°F and 15°F if frozen

ickly.

eezers that are not being used to

gy use.

rators that are 10 to 20 years old

cent of that of a current model.

frigerators to reduce energy bills by

h, a savings of $180 per year.

urrently given to ovens and ranges.

onsider in purchasing and

d to lower energy bills.

IONS

ge if possible. The major drawback

th risks from the combustion by

ion system will minimize this risk.

tter insulated than other models, so

ent when used appropriately.

ceramic, halogen, or induction

efficient than the type containing

o easier to clean and allow for

ol.

h a low-sone rating to eliminate

ventilation. Select a model that

ure outside rather than recirculating

a range hood is not possible,

ove if selecting a gas unit.

burner. It is important to keep the igniter clean to provideflawless ignition.

DISHWASHERSOverall, dishwashers are a better and more efficient way to cleandishes than hand washing. Efficient models can use an averageof 5.8 gallons of water per load compared with hand washing,which can use up to 6.8 gallons of water for the same load.Heating water accounts for more than 80 percent of the energyused by dishwashers to clean dishes. Newer, more efficientmodels save water and energy and also tend to wash better.

PURCHASING CONSIDERATIONS

• Select an ENERGY STAR model.• Choose a model with a booster heater that has the ability to

raise water temperatures to 140°F to 145°F; this will allow

additional money to be saved by setting the water heater to120°F.

• Look for a dishwasher that provides enough cycles to handle

loads of varying food soil. This will minimize overuse of waterand energy.

• Choose a model with metered fill as opposed to timed fill. A

metered fill model uses a float to measure the water levelinside the dishwasher and to fill the unit to the correct levelregardless of the water pressure. Timed fill models are lessprecise because of water pressure variations.

• Select a dishwasher that has an air-dry or overnight-dry

feature. Heat drying quickly dries the dishes but at theexpense of increased energy use.

greater than 15 years.The energy andresource savingspotential of anefficient model canprovide an earlypayback and costsavings throughoutits life.

CLOTHES WASHERSA typical washer will cost about $1,100 to operate over itslifetime. Ninety percent of the energy used in operating awashing machine goes toward heating the water that will washand rinse the clothes. The motor uses only 10 percent of thetotal energy consumed. Most conventional washing machinesuse 25 to 40 gallons of water per complete cycle. Water-savingversions can cut water and energy usage by more than40 percent.

PURCHASING CONSIDERATIONS

• Select an ENERGY STAR model.• The most energy-efficient washing machines are horizontal

axis (typically front-loading) machines. They use about onethird the water of a conventional machine to wash the sameamount of clothes. These models also do not have agitators,which means they are gentler on clothes. They also spinclothes faster, which results in less drying time and costs.MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS

• Use the cold water settings as much as possible. Modern

detergents are designed for cold water washing. This reducesthe energy used to heat water.

• Periodically check hose fittings and screen, water-intake lines,

and drain lines for metal or sediment deposits.
OFFICE OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY, STATE AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMSENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Buildings forthe 21st CenturyBuildings that are moreenergy efficient, comfortable,and affordable... that’s thegoal of DOE’s Office of BuildingTechnology, State andCommunity Programs (BTS).To accelerate the developmentand wide application of energyefficiency measures, BTS:• Conducts R&D on technologies

and concepts for energy efficiency, working closely withthe building industry and withmanufacturers of materials,equipment, and appliances

• Promotes energy/money

saving opportunities to bothbuilders and buyers of homesand commercial buildings

• Works with state and local

regulatory groups to improvebuilding codes, appliancestandards, and guidelines forefficient energy use

• Provides support and grants

to states and communitiesfor deployment of energyefficient technologies andpractices

POTENTIAL FOR SAVINGSAccording to the 1997 Residential EnergyConsumption Survey, lighting and appliancesused 27% of all energy consumed in residencesand accounted for more than 45% of the energycosts. Although these figures include energyuse and costs for lighting and small appliances,a substantial portion of this use and cost is dueto major appliances such as refrigerators,washers, dryers, dishwashers, and stoves.The potential for savings is even greater thanthese numbers reflect. They do not include thecost of water, or the energy use and cost to heatthe water used by washers and dishwashers. Incooling dominated climates, energy-efficientappliances that do not excessively heat theindoor air can save additional energy bylowering air-conditioning use.The true (lifecycle) cost of an appliance is thepurchase price plus the cost to operate andmaintain it over its lifetime. The reducedoperating cost of a more energy-efficientappliance is often sufficient to quickly pay backits higher initial cost.It is important to consider appliance placementwhen designing the home. For example,placing a refrigerator or freezer near a heatsource such as an oven, dishwasher, heatingvent, or direct sunlight will cause it to use moreenergy to keep food cool.Because major appliances can remain inoperation for 15 to 20 years, it is important toconsider energy use and its impact on futureusers at the time of purchase. Home ownersshould consider replacing major homeappliances that are 10 to 15 years old.

ENERGYGUIDE LABEL

LOOK FOR ENERGYGUIDE LABELSFederal law requires a bright yellowEnergyGuide label to be placed on many typesof home appliances, including refrigerators,freezers, dishwashers, and clothes washers.This label allows the consumer to estimate howmuch a particular appliance will cost to operateeach year and to compare this cost amongsimilar appliances. The comparison scale onthe EnergyGuide shows the least and mostenergy used by comparable models. Thelabeled model is represented by an arrowpointing to its relative position on that scale.Choose a model that is more energy-efficientand has a lower operating cost than the leastefficient model of the product class.Although operating costs shown on theEnergyGuide are calculated using a nationalaverage energy cost, the local actual operatingcost can be easily estimated by multiplying thelocal energy rate by the estimated energy useof the appliance as listed on the EnergyGuide.

ads. Electricity use in televisions that

“off” costs the United States more

million each year. The electricity is

intain the remote control and

eatures, and to keep the filaments in

tube warm 24 hours a day.

NG AROUND PHANTOM LOADS

ble, choose an appliance without a

clock or timer. While the displays only

e about 1⁄2 Watt, the power supply in

iance is converting 120 volts of

ng current to low-voltage direct

for the clock or timer. This is very

nt and consumes 100 to 200 Wh per

is is enough energy to run a compact

ent light bulb continuously for

s.

eaving appliances with small

mers plugged in while not in use.

onsider purchasing all-in-one

ces, such as a phone with built-in

ng machine and caller id display. This

uce the number of small transformers

d in. Small transformers are power

s in plastic boxes that plug into a

d wall outlet.

ging the appliance when it is not in

ne way of avoiding phantom loads,

a power strip and switch it off when

iance is not in use.