Cooperative Living January/February 2022 - 23

CLOSER LOOK
Making Cents and Sense
of Energy Efficiency
by Paul Wesslund, Contributing Columnist
T
he basic idea of energy efficiency is
simple - use less energy to do the
same amount of work, which can
save you money on your electric bills. But
with that simplicity can come confusion.
Sometimes you have to pay more for
something that's considered energy
efficient. It costs more upfront, but saves
money in the long run. That may sound
illogical. But it makes sense after you
think about it for a minute - most
moneymaking projects require an initial
upfront investment, whether it's a factory
or a lemonade stand.
PAY NOW S AVE LATER
From computers to major appliances,
manufacturers are increasing the energy
efficiency of their products. According to
the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy
Star-rated appliances can save you 10% to
50% of the energy required for standard
models that don't receive the program's
sticker. Considering most major
appliances last 10 years, those savings
can stack up over time.
Replacing older appliances can save
even more energy. Improvements in
refrigerators are cutting their energy use
in half about every 15 years. So, if your
fridge is more than 20 years old, replacing
it with a new, high-efficiency model
could save you $300 in operating costs
during the next five years.
Smart power strips also show how
spending on efficiency now can make
money in the future. Keeping your phone
charger and other electronic devices
plugged in consumes electricity even after
they're fully charged. A smart power strip
cuts off the electricity once charging is
complete. A smart strip costs about
$40 and could save as much as $40 a year
on your electric bills, recovering your
initial investment almost right away.
BRIGHT SAVINGS
Light bulbs offer the most dramatic
story of efficiency technology
improvements. By spending $5 to $10
on an LED bulb, compared with about
$1 for an old incandescent, you get a
Efficiency improvements in refrigerators
are cutting their energy use in half about
every 15 years.
product that uses 75% less electricity and
can last 20 years compared to about a year
for an incandescent bulb. The Department
of Energy estimates the average home
could save more than $200 a year by
replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs.
Two key tips for turning energy
efficiency into dollars: know what you
want from your energy use and do your
homework. Products come with a wide
range of features that cost extra and may
be less efficient. Do you want a refrigerator
that offers the best efficiency, or do you
want to pay more for a less-efficient model
that has an ice dispenser in the door?
Your locally owned electric cooperative
has energy experts who can tell you how
to make the best use of electricity. To
compare efficiency among appliances, look
for the yellow Energy Guide label, which
shows information like estimated annual
operating costs. Explore the energy.gov
website for online calculators and
additional resources that can help you
turn efficiency data into real savings on
your energy bills. 
Energy Star-rated appliances
can save 10% to 50% of the
energy required for standard
appliances.
co-opliving.com
Paul Wesslund writes on consumer and
cooperative affairs for the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association.
January-February 2022 ● Cooperative Living ●
21
PHOTO COURTESY MAYTAG
PHOTO COURTESY WHIRLPOOL
http://www.energy.gov http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living January/February 2022

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