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Smoke test demonstrating air lea at a door (C) Daniel FriedmanAppliance Energy Efficiency Rating Source List

This article describes sources of energy efficient appliances and energy efficiency ratings for appliances.

We explain where to find the energy efficiency ratings for a home appliance like an air conditioner, water heater or refrigerator, and we explain how to interpret what the efficiency rating means.

We include a Directory of Appliance Energy Efficiency Rating Programs and Labeling Regulations from Around the World.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Where to Find Appliance Energy Efficiency Ratings

Photograph of  This new compressor was placed directly against
a brick wall. One third of its condenser coil cooling ability was blocked.The current energy efficiency ratings of building appliances are available from a variety of sources listed here, including energy efficiency of air conditioners, clothes dryers, clothes washers, fans, refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, well pumps, etc. Our page top photo shows an A.O. Smith natural-gas fired, direct-vented high-efficiency water heater in the website author's forensic laboratory. Accompanying text is reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

Readers should also see see ENERGY USE MONITORING, SOLAR and

also our air conditioner system SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS, see and

for major energy savings in buildings, see ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS and ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES as well as HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS.

The question-and-answer article below paraphrases, quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss.

Question: Finding Energy Efficient Appliances

I'm frequently asked about the energy efficiencies of appliances by those for whom I'm building a house. Usually I suggest that they check Consumer Reports, or the label of the product. This is pretty poor help.

I have just been asked about energy efficiencies again, this time for domestic water heaters. Can you give me a list of names (without favoritism) of the most energy-efficient electric water heaters?

Answer:

Checking the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Guide On each appliance is one way to find the most efficient one, but it can be time consuming.

"The Most Energy Efficient Appliances" is a document published by the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy. Top-rated water heaters (and the most efficient water heaters - the only kind listed there) include many models from Mor-Flo, Therma-Star Products, E-Tech, Ruud, and Rheem. [DJF note: Be sure you are comparing "apples to apples" when comparing appliances by noting the water heater energy source (electric, LP gas, natural gas, home heating oil, solar, etc.), the water heater size, its recovery rate, and other performance measures, not just the annual energy or fuel use.]

Other sources of energy efficiency directories include

The US DOE document linked-to above points out that in a typical U.S. home, appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20% of your energy bills. These appliances and electronics include the following:

Note that this list excludes heating and central air conditioning equipment - major energy consumers in most homes.

See SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS, and for major energy savings in buildings,

see ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS and ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES as well as HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS.

Directory of Appliance Energy Efficiency Rating Programs and Labeling Regulations from Around the World

Many countries and governments in addition to the U.S. provide some excellent energy rating guides that can benefit consumers anywhere, as many appliances are sold worldwide:

Here we include solar energy, solar heating, solar hot water, and related building energy efficiency improvement articles reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

Original article in PDF format:

The link to the original Q&A article in PDF form immediately below was preceded by an expanded/updated online version of this article.

Appliance Energy Efficiency & Rating Articles


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