Energy Star label puts savings in the pocket, not down the drain

Did you know that the right toilet can save money? How about a water heater or a clothes washer?

In 1992 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency introduced the Energy Star designation for appliances, a stamp of environmental approval that certifies products are energy efficient or operate with reduced greenhouse gas emission.

And an Energy Star guide that's displayed on products lists the amount that can be saved on utility costs by using the products.

That guides can be found on more than 50 different kinds of appliances.

"I don't know why you wouldn't use Energy Star," said J.D. Farmer, sales associate at Home Depot on Southgate Road. "You are saving so much water."

Farmer said the LG model clothes washer is one of the most efficient.

"Every top load washer uses 40 gallons of water a day. Every front load uses on average 15 gallons of water," Farmer said. "The LG uses only 12 to 14 gallons a day."

That's more savings on your water bill. It varies by brand, but an Energy Star appliance can save you $55 to $80 annually in savings said Rich Flater, district trainer for The Home Depot on Southgate Road.

An Energy Star water heater offers much bigger savings of $146 a year, he said.

Of course the price is higher, but Flater said it is only a little increase in price, and if you own the water heater for about six years, you get back in what you paid in energy savings.

The top Energy Star sellers in the appliance section are toilets, water heaters, refrigerators, washers and dishwashers, Flater said.

"The toilet is the number one water user in households," he said.

To help with the price, Colorado Springs Utilities offers residential rebates.

Spokeswoman Rachel Beck said because of lower participation in the rebate program this year than other years, they started a new campaign, "Get the green back!" to raise awareness of the rebates offered.

Rebate amounts range up to $200 for an Energy Star clothes washer, furnace, programmable thermostat and windows. Rebates are also available for insulation and air sealing, sprinkler systems and a high-efficiency toilet. A coupon is available from four local lighting retailers offering a discount on Energy Star qualified Compact Fluorescent Lamps that last ten times longer than incandescent bulbs and use four times less energy.

Habitat for Humanity also helps residents of Colorado Springs save money on their utility bills and gets supplies and services from local businesses such as Home Depot and Excellent Plumbing and Heating.

"As a statewide initiative, every home is built to Energy Star standards, which means that energy efficiency is 30 to 40 percent higher than a code built home," said Stefka Fanchi, executive director at Habitat for Humanity of Colorado. "What that means for us is that our homeowner will have 30 percent lower energy bills."

Because it takes about $3,000 to $4,000 more to include those upgrades, Habitat for Humanity finds funding from organizations like Energy Outreach Colorado and Xcel Energy, Fanchi said.

The homes are also furnished with energy efficient appliances, Fanchi said Whirlpool donates a refrigerator and stove, Low-E windows are installed, raised heel trusses allow for more insulation in the roof and attic areas and whenever possible high efficiency furnace and hot water heaters are used. Also, depending on the region where the home is built, different aspects of solar technology are used, she said.

For long term energy savings, a curriculum is used to educate the future home owners. For example, what to set the thermostat at to save the most energy or how to use blinds more to save on air- conditioning, she said.

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