Today's major appliances generally offer higher efficiency ratings than before. It may be worthwhile to take note of the age and wattage of your appliances because you may be able to accomplish significant energy savings simply by replacing some of the older, less efficient ones.

Energy Guide

The bright yellow Energy Guide labels on new major appliances let you compare the energy costs of similar appliances. The most efficient model might cost half as much to operate as one that's less efficient. An energy-saving model usually costs more to buy, but with its greater efficiency, you'll save money over the life of the appliance. Although the dollar figures shown are only averages, Energy Guide labels allow you to comparison shop based on operating cost, not just purchase price.