When shopping for a new appliance or home comfort system, the yellow EnergyGuide label provides valuable information that aids in the decision making process. Manufacturers include the label on their items to show how energy efficient their appliances are and to prove that the product passed the U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance Standards Program. Use the following information to better understand the EnergyGuide label and estimate an appliance’s operational cost:
- Dollar amount: In a yellow box labeled “Estimated Yearly Operating Cost” there is a dollar amount in large text. This figure, based on the national average cost of energy, indicates how much it may cost you to power the appliance every year.
- Cost range: Under the guide’s dollar amount is a short graph with price ranges. This shows you the estimated annual operating costs of products with similar features so you can compare prices.
- Estimated electricity use: The “Estimated Yearly Electricity Use” section toward the bottom of the EnergyGuide label indicates how much electricity the appliance may use in kilowatt-hours (kWh) each year. To get a better idea regarding the appliance’s true annual energy cost, refer to your utility bill’s local electricity rate. Then multiply the rate by the kWh listed.
- Different label formats: Most EnergyGuide labels have a yellow background with black text. Refrigerators and stand-alone freezers, however, use black backgrounds and yellow text sections because they undergo different testing procedures.
- Shopping guide: The label’s upper left side, under the word “EnergyGuide,” provides a list of the appliance’s important features. Use this information for comparison purposes.
If you’re in the market for an energy efficient comfort system, we invite you to contact Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. to schedule a consultation. As a family-owned-and-operated business, we’ve proudly served the Springfield and Dayton area since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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