Every appliance may come with a price tag, but the real cost isn't determined until you get it home, plug it in, and live with it for a year. To help you figure out the long-term expense of owning an appliance, the government requires manufacturers to label each item with an "energy guide." This bright yellow tag helps consumers estimate the cost of running the appliance for one year.
Energy guide labels bear a brief description of the appliance, including model number and specifications. The label for a refrigerator, for example, would list the refrigerator's size in cubic feet and identify features such as an icemaker or side-mounted freezer. The description helps you accurately compare models from different manufacturers.
Each label also has a gauge showing you how much energy that particular appliance uses compared with similar models. It doesn't identify which models use the most and least energy, but it tells you where the appliance falls within that range. This allows you to compare the appliance's energy efficiency with that of models at the extremes.
Finally, the label provides an estimate of the annual energy cost of running the appliance. The estimate is based on national average costs per unit of energy. Check with your utility provider for the specific energy costs in your area.
More-efficient kitchen appliances usually cost the most, but it won't take long for accumulated energy-cost savings to make up the difference. Plus, you'll continue to save year after year, so a more energy-efficient appliance will be less costly the longer you own it.
