At a Glance:
Whether you want to be friendlier to Mother Earth or your checkbook, energy efficiency is a worthwhile pursuit.
Thankfully, for Wisconsin residents, the average monthly utility bill is somewhat inexpensive compared to other U.S. states. In fact, the Badger State ranks at No. 41 for total energy costs—with No. 1 being the most energy-expensive state of Hawaii, according to a 2020 study published by WalletHub.
Nevertheless, in the U.S., energy costs eat anywhere between 5 and 22 percent of families’ total after-tax income, which is to say, lower energy prices across states don’t necessarily equate to more savings. Where we live and how much energy we use are critical variables in that determination.
It is therefore critical that we invest in appliances that waste as little electricity and natural gas as possible, that instead channel a higher percentage of the expelled energy toward their essential functions, whether it’s cooking meats for safe consumption or fighting stubborn stains on your clothing.
What Does Energy-Star Certified Mean?
Energy Star certification means that the product has met certain energy efficiency requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Products that have this certification tend to use less energy than their counterparts, saving you money in the long run.
There are a number of different products that can receive Energy Star certification, including appliances, office equipment, and lighting. To be eligible for the Energy Star label, a product must meet certain energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA.
Energy Star-certified products are often available at a discount, making them more affordable than their non-certified counterparts. In addition, using Energy Star products can help you save money on your energy bills.
If you're looking for energy-efficient products, look for the Energy Star label. This label indicates that the product has met the EPA's standards for energy efficiency. Energy Star-certified products are often available at a discount, making them more affordable than their non-certified counterparts. In addition, using Energy Star products can help you save money on your energy bills.
When shopping for energy-efficient products, keep in mind that the Energy Star label is not always visible. Some manufacturers do not put the Energy Star label on their products, so be sure to ask if a product is Energy Star certified before you buy it.
If you're looking for ways to save money on your energy bills, Energy Star-certified products are a great place to start. Be sure to look for the Energy Star label when shopping for energy-efficient products. And, don't forget to ask if a product is Energy Star certified before you buy it!
Best Energy-Efficient Appliance Brands
In no particular order, our Colder’s experts listed their top 5 favorite energy-efficient appliance brands. Best of all, you can find them in our Appliances catalog. Check out our picks!
This brand prides itself on its line of Energy Star-certified kitchen and laundry appliances. Inviting you to reassess the state of your current refrigerator, Frigidaire claims that refrigerators from 16 years ago use twice the energy as its Energy Star models. To put it into perspective, that old fridge could be costing you an additional 300 dollars on your utility bills annually.
The Frigidaire counter depth French door refrigerator not only maximizes energy with improved insulation and compressors, but it also maintains an even temperature throughout the refrigerator thanks to its Even Temp technology. In other words: no more unwanted frosting or accidentally spoiled foods.
Speaking of bonus features, this refrigerator has edge-to-edge shelving, multi-level LED lighting, and a water filtration system that removes about 99 percent of lead from your household water, meaning you don’t have to compromise anything for energy savings.
Pro tip: Keep your new energy-efficient fridge away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can inadvertently heat up the appliance and cause it to run more often to keep cool.
If saving you time and labor is not enough, dishwashers use only four to six gallons of water per load compared to the 27 gallons it can take you to scrub them in the sink. And energy-efficient dishwashers can take even more off your plate—literally and figuratively.
Engineered to be as energy-efficient as possible, many of today’s dishwashers come with soil sensors to detect how messy your plates are and automatically adjust water and cycle settings accordingly, saving you water and energy consumption (as well as costs) in the process.
The Energy Star certified Maytag dishwasher compels you to skip the presoak with an industry-exclusive Dual Power Filtration combines 100 percent of microfiltration and a four-blade stainless-steel chopper to disintegrate and filter any food in its path.
In addition, its Leak Detect system measures and monitors the flow of water at various points for the sake of your kitchen flooring, and the Steam Sanitize option removes 99.999 percent of bacteria—yes, you can confidently wash delicate items, like your crystal platter, with high-temperature water.
To make your Energy Star appliance even more efficient, we recommend only running full loads and skipping the drying cycle in favor of towel drying.
First things first: It should be noted that the federal Energy Star program does not evaluate ranges, cooktops, and wall ovens. That said, there are still ways to save energy when cooking or baking in the kitchen. Furthermore, it is still possible to make an energy-conscious purchase when you’re in the market for a new cooking appliance.
And when you’re faced between the age-old question of gas or electric, know that the fiscal debate between both fuel types is twofold, as your purchase ultimately depends on whether you value cost-effectiveness or cost savings more.
While it may be cheaper to operate a gas appliance for your culinary needs, more energy is wasted when cooking with this fuel option. For a direct comparison, about 74 percent of the energy produced on an electric stove is transferred to the food whereas only approximately 40 percent of the energy from gas models is channeled toward cooking your meals. So, we advise you to weigh your options carefully.
Batting for electric models is KitchenAid. The KitchenAid 30.81” Stainless Steel Electric Cooktop (KCES550HSS) boasts specialized elements to handle every job: among them, a flexible double-ring element for rapid boiling and searing, a dedicated setting to reach low temperatures for melting, and a round element that efficiently heats a variety of pan sizes for everyday use.
Whirlpool Appliances
For an energy-efficient oven, we turn to the #1 selling appliance brand in the U.S.A. The Whirlpool electric oven is your saving grace in the kitchen with connected features that let you send cooking instructions to the oven from your smartphone, control your kitchen with voice commands using a compatible voice-enabled device, and skip preheating.
With smart Whirlpool ovens sending notifications to your smart device when your food is ready to be tended to or taken out, there will be no need to open the door to check on the cooking progress. The oven’s internal temperature can drop by as many as 25 degrees each time you open the door, so a smart oven is an energy-efficient appliance.
Plus, many Whirlpool ovens are also stocked with a self-cleaning cycle, which poises your appliance toward energy conservation by virtue of being more insulated to run this feature—meaning, there is less heat escaping the oven! Be cautioned, though: Using the self-cleaning cycle more than once a month can cause your utility expenses to climb.
Bonus tip: Regardless of whether you opt for a gas or electric oven, Whirlpool convection ovens are more energy-efficient than standard models because the fan-circulated heat continuously courses around the food being cooked. In the end, convection settings produce more even results and, for most foods, temperatures and cooking times can be reduced. Less time in the kitchen. Less energy used. More time for you.
This purveyor of electronics and appliances never ceases to amaze us. Along with doling out high-definition OLED TVs, LG continues to innovate on the laundry-room front. Its Energy Star-certified stacked laundry pairs (known as the LG WashTowers) take up half the space compared to a conventional pair, meaning that it’s a space saver as well.
Like soil-sensing dishwashers, this LG front load washer and dryer can take the guesswork out of selecting the appropriate water levels and temperatures, wash motions, and drying temperatures for every load. This potentially results in less water and energy being wasted. Not only that, but these appliances’ large capacities fit more laundry to save time on every load.
Again, energy-efficiency does not equate to a less luxurious experience. This LG laundry pair is teeming with features that go beyond your everyday needs—from an allergen-reduction wash cycle that eradicates 95 percent of dust mites to TurboSteam dryer technology that can also sanitize your children’s toys and your couch’s throw pillows.
And as is the case with most LG smart appliances, the ThinQ app can also enable maintenance tips and alerts being sent to your smartphone to keep your laundry units running at their best—a.k.a., efficiently.
For our final energy-saving tip, we advise you to only run full loads and to opt for cold water when the sanitize option is not in use—the latter will preserve your clothing and save you up to 60 dollars annually!
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee.
Shop Energy-Efficient Appliances at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop energy-efficient appliances online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find appliances with energy-efficient ratings, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: 5 Affordable Energy Efficient Dishwashers