Revised standards for refrigerators and freezers took effect in 1993, and more stringent standards for dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers took effect in May, 1994. Furthermore, the standards will reduce peak electricity demand by the equivalent of 25 large power plants. Even though the standards eliminate the production of energy-guzzling appliances, consumers will benefit most from selecting highly efficient appliances that exceed the minimum efficiency standards. Appliances are still available over a broad range of efficiencies, and consumers would be wise to shop carefully for efficient models. After all, the air conditioner, furnace, or refrigerator you buy today will still be in use 15 or 20 years from now.
Some utilities offer rebates to consumers who purchase energy-efficient appliances.
Rebates reduce the net purchase price of high-efficiency models, making them even more attractive to consumers. Rebate programs are more common among electric companies than gas companies, although some gas utilities offer rebates for high-efficiency furnaces and other products. If you plan to buy a major appliance soon, ask your utility if it offers rebates for efficient models. This web site lists, to the best of our knowledge, the most energy-efficient residential appliances available in the U.S. as of early 1998. Because of space limitations, only the very highest-rated models are listed within each appliance category.