‍Energy Star Appliances

EnergyStar appliances meet the energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy. They are designed to use less energy and water than other models, promoting energy efficiency, reducing pollutants and conserving resources. 

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Advantage of Energy Star Appliances:

• Significant cost savings on utility bills
• Increased performance and reliability
• Positive environmental impact with decreased household emissions 
• Financial incentives such as rebates and tax credits

Many EnergyStar appliances come with incentives and rebates from local utilities or governments to reduce the overall cost of these energy-efficient products.

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Understanding Energy Star Appliances

Energy Star Appliances can be found on the Energy Start website or labeled in your local appliance store. These products are tested based on specific energy efficiency criteria and must be evaluated by accredited laboratories. Once certified, the products are monitored and verified to ensure they continue to meet Energy Stars standards.

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Selecting Energy Star Appliances

• Look for the Label: Energy Star appliances are typically labeled with the logo. ‍
• Compare Models: Compare Energy Star certified appliances to non-certified models and evaluate the cost savings and benefits.‍
• Consider Lifetime Costs: Consider the lifetime cost savings of a product against the initial price of the product before making a decision.

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Energy Star Resources

Visit the Energy Start website for a full list of certified products, energy-saving tips, and incentives. 

Energy Star Website

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Did You Know?

Electric cooking and stove appliances promote healthier indoor air quality than gas appliances because they don’t produce byproducts such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, which are harmful to breathe in.

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There are many tax incentives that can make appliance upgrades more affordable, including ones that help cover the costs of wiring, installation, and purchase. Check out our incentives page to learn more.

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Induction Stoves

Induction cooktops transfer energy directly to cookware through a magnetic field; unlike electric cooktops that heat a coil, which then heats your cookware, induction stovetops heat up quickly and offer precise, immediate control. Since the cooking surface doesn’t get hot, there is no risk of burns. Their smooth surface also makes them much easier to clean.

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Installing Induction

If you already have a 220V outlet in your kitchen, simply plug in your new appliance. If not, depending on the panel's capacity and available space, you may need an electrician to add or reconfigure circuits and install a 220V outlet. Click here to learn more about induction stoves.

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Types of Induction Stoves 

Freestanding: Units that are hardwired in or plugged into the wall and typically combine an induction cooktop and an oven. 

Built-In: Cooktops built into the countertop don’t include an oven.

Portable: Small, compact units with one or two burners that can easily be moved around and plugged into a standard outlet.

Ranges: Large, high-performance, professional-grade units with multiple burners that provide precise cooking control.

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When choosing an induction cooktop, consider these factors

• Size: How much space do you have for a stove?
• Number of cooking zones: How many cooking zones do you need? 
• Power settings: Are you looking for a stove with high wattage for faster cooking, or will standard power settings meet your needs? 
• Safety features: Are you concerned about automatic shut-off features, child locks, pan detection, and heat indicators?
• Oven: Are you looking for a stove with an oven attached?‍
• Portability: Do you need something that is small and can easily be moved, or would you prefer something built-in with more zones?

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Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH)

Heat pump water heaters are used to heat and cool homes and are also used to heat water using a refrigerant line to extract heat from the air to push it into the home or heat water in the storage tank. These are best stored in a cool environment with a surrounding air temperature of 40℉. HPWHs are currently the most efficient way to heat your home compared to other options on the market.

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Heat Pump Dryer / Condensing Dryer

Heat pump dryers operate like air conditioners, but in reverse, they use hot air to absorb the moisture from your clothes. Then, instead of releasing the humid air through a vent, this closed-loop system directs the warm air into an evaporator to remove the moisture, which goes back through a condenser to be reused and heated to dry your clothes, using 28% less energy.

Note: Laundry is dried at a low temperature for a gentle dry cycle.

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Mini Split /Heat Pump Water Heater

Mini split heat pump water heaters work like typical HPWH except that a Mini Spit HPWH can bring heat back into the house when the weather gets colder and release heat from the home to cool it down.

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Electric Lawn Equipment

If you’re looking to upgrade your lawn equipment, consider choosing an all-electric option. While electric lawn equipment can be less powerful than gas-powered products, they are often easier and cost less to maintain with fewer parts to replace and change, and batteries can often be shared among tools of the same brand.