Choosing energy efficient appliances is a straight-forward endeavor thanks to government regulations requiring labeling to show energy usage and costs. In the US this is the EnergyGuide label and in Canada EnerGuide label; both of these labels will give you basically the same information. The labels show you the kilowatt/hour usage per year as well as how that particular appliance rates against other similar appliances on the market. This information allows you to compare appliances so you can make an informed decision when making your purchase.

The other designation to look for when buying appliances is the international Energy Star mark. This symbol is used to show that the item meets the highest standards of energy efficiency available on the market. Energy Star products will be the most energy efficient appliances but may cost more than their less efficient counterparts; be sure to take into account the reduced cost of operation.

In many places there are incentives for upgrading your appliances to Energy Star models. Some areas have government loans with low interest, tax breaks, or buy-back programs for old appliances. Some areas have tax credits primarily for upgrading in existing homes though some incentives are aimed primarily at new construction. Check out your government and power company’s websites for details on what is available to you.

Remember that sometimes the newer, more efficient models can be more costly than other appliances. Take the time to figure in the difference in cost of operation as well as any offset you can get with tax credits or rebates on a more efficient version.

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Table of Contents :

Chapter 1: Executive Summary
Scope of This Report

Methodology

The Market

The U.S. Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market

Figure 1-1: Energy-Efficient Residential Renovations Market, 2003-2008 (in billion $)

Energy-Efficient Product Segments for the Renovations Market

Forecast

Figure 1-2: Residential Energy-Efficient Renovations Market Forecast, 2009-2013 (in billion $)

Figure 1-3: Residential Energy-Efficient Appliance and Lighting Renovations Market Forecast, 2009-2013 (in billion $)

Measuring Energy Efficiency

Prescriptive Energy Efficiency Programs

Table 1-1: Summary of Energy-Efficient Appliance and Lighting Programs, 2009

Home Energy Efficiency Auditing for Renovations

Home Performance Programs

Financial Programs

State Energy Efficiency Renovation Incentives

Figure 1-4: Utility Funding for Energy Efficiency Programs, 2008

Government Assistance Programs

Financial Benefits of Energy-Efficient Home Renovations

Trends

Figure 1-5 :NAHB Remodeling Market Index & JCHS Leading Indicator for Remodeling Activity, 2002-2009

Consumers Want More Green!

Appliance Remodeling Trends

Residential Lighting Trends

DIY and Pro

Remodeling Industry Suffers from Unprofessional Image

The Future for Energy Efficiency Remodelers

DIY Versus Pro by Product Segment

Demographics

Appliance Renovation Demographics

Energy-Efficient Lighting Demographics

Manufacturers & Retailers

Appliance Manufacturers

Residential Lighting and Lighting Fixture Manufacturers

Retailers

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Chapter 2: The Market
Scope of This Report

Methodology

A Note on the American Housing Survey

Defining Energy-Efficient

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Energy-Efficient Lighting

The Residential Construction Industry

The U.S. Housing Construction Market

Figure 2-1: Residential Construction Value Put in Place, 2002-2008 (in billion $)

The U.S. Home Renovations Market

Figure 2-2: Residential Renovations Market, 2001-2008 (in billion $)

The U.S. Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market

Figure 2-3: Energy-Efficient Residential Renovations Market, 2003-2008 (in billion $)

The U.S. Appliance Market

Table 2-1: U.S. Residential Appliance Market, 2002-2008 (in thousand units)

The Energy-Efficient Appliance Market for Existing Homes

Figure 2-4: Energy-Efficient Residential Appliance Renovations Market, 2003-2008 (in billion $)

Figure 2-5: Breakdown of Energy-Efficient Appliance Market for Existing Homes, 2008

The U.S. Residential Lighting Market

Table 2-2: U.S. Residential Light Fixture and Compact Fluorescent Bulb Market, 2002-2008 (in million $)

The Energy-Efficient Residential Lighting Renovations Market

Figure 2-6: Energy-Efficient Residential Lighting Renovations Market, 2003-2008 (in million $)

Imports & Exports of Appliances

Table 2-3: U.S. Imports & Exports of Appliances, 2002-2008 (in million $)

Imports & Exports of Residential Lighting Products

Table 2-4: U.S. Imports & Exports of Residential Light Fixtures and Compact

Fluorescent Bulbs, 2002-2008 (in million $)

Forecast

Figure 2-7: Residential Energy-Efficient Renovations Market Forecast, 2009-2013 (in billion $)

Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Product Segment Forecasts

Figure 2-8: Residential Energy-Efficient Appliance and Lighting Renovations Market Forecast, 2009-2013 (in billion $)

Chapter 3: Measuring Energy Efficiency
Independent Product Testing Organizations

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For many families, the kitchen is the room in the house where the most energy is consumed. Refrigerators, cookers, ovens, dishwashers and other kitchen appliances can account for nearly 40% of the total energy consumed in some homes. Buying energy efficient appliances, and changing the way kitchen appliances are used on a daily basis can easily make the kitchen a greener place.

Once you make the decision to buy kitchen appliances, for your new eco-friendly kitchen, it’s important that you consider the size of the kitchen appliances. Many families buy oversized kitchen appliances that they don’t need and end up wasting energy in the process. Larger kitchen appliances with lots of features can be very tempting. However if you have a small family, it’s best to buy energy efficient kitchen appliances that will fit your family’s needs, rather than opting for larger models. You’ll save space, money and you’ll be helping to save the environment too.

Dishwashers are great for convenience, but it’s important that you use them wisely. Did you know that many of the newer, more energy efficient dishwashers use less water than old models? Additionally, many of them are engineered so that you don’t have to waste additional water rinsing your dishes before you place them into the dishwasher. When buying an energy efficient dishwasher, choose a compact model, and remember to run it only when it’s full to help save both energy and water.

It’s imperative for families that cook often to use energy efficient appliances. Using kitchen appliances such as cookers and ovens can require a great deal of energy. When possible, use microwaves or other smaller kitchen appliances to prepare or heat food. And if you need to boil water, try using more practical smaller kitchen appliances such as a cordless kettle, rather than utilizing the cooker.

Do you still use an oven that requires preheating? Most newer models have made preheating a thing of the past, thus just one of the ways energy efficient ovens can help you reduce energy consumption. And remember, when it’s time to use the oven, always try to cook more than one dish.

Another great kitchen appliance to consider when going green is a range hood. A range hood can help with the ventilation in your home, and keep the air in your kitchen cleaner. Clean air is essential in any eco-friendly environment.

When considering buying new kitchen appliances, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the price tag. While purchasing energy efficient appliances can be a significant investment initially, you’ll see the savings instantly on your energy bill and save even more in the long run. Energy efficient appliances can save you between 10 – 50% in monthly energy costs. So in reality, by purchasing energy efficient appliances you’re not only doing your part to help protect the environment, you’re also saving a substantial sum on energy costs too.

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Start making your effort to reduce your carbon footprint and save money at the same time. If you’re shopping for a new dishwasher, cooker, fridge freezer or oven, always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. They will cost less to run and help reduce carbon emissions.

Refrigeration – Side by side fridge freezers use more energy than similarly sized models with the freezer on top, even if they both carry the ENERGY STAR on board. The government holds the two categories to different standards, allowing side-by-sides to use 10-30% more energy. Icemakers and through-the-door ice also add to energy consumption.

In cooking, when it comes to choosing the fuel type, gas is usually preferable to electricity as a heating fuel. But because cooking doesn’t make a huge overall impact on your energy bill, this choice has more to do with your own preference. Many people find that gas offers better cooking control; however, it also introduces combustion products into the house that must be vented to the outside. Be sure to purchase an energy-efficient range hood that vents cooking products up from the cooktop and directly outside (avoid down-draft vents).

The EU Energy Rating measures energy efficiency on a seven point scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The rating covers a variety of household appliances including fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers, washing machines, electric tumble driers, combined washer-driers, lamps, electric ovens and air conditioners. By law, all retailers in the EU must display an energy efficiency rating on these products. A product with an A rating will have passed a rigorous, impartial testing procedure, so you can be sure of its high energy efficiency.

If everyone in the UK upgraded their old refrigeration appliance to an A-rated, energy efficient product, energy wastage would be cut by over two-thirds. Buying an energy efficient fridge freezer to replace your inefficient model could cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 296 kilos a year.

Also, why not consider applying for a grant, availble to many people throughout the UK. The UK Government funds schemes providing up to £2,700 to households on certain benefits (see below for examples of eligibility criteria) to improve their heating and energy efficiency. In England the scheme is known as Warm Front, in Northern Ireland it is Warm Homes, in Scotland it is Warm Deal and the Central Heating Programme and in Wales it is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. The eligibility criteria for the schemes differ between countries – with some schemes you need to be in receipt of certain benefits, whilst others are available to anyone over a certain age.

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