Homefix: Energy Star appliances can help cut consumption

Q: I recently saw some information that advised people to get rid of old refrigerators for newer energy-efficient models. Does this have anything to do with energy savings, or are they just trying to sell new refrigerators?

A: Some sources estimate that an older refrigerator uses three times the energy of the newer Energy Star-rated models, but the sources did not take into account the age, size or model of the refrigerator. You can discover how much energy your old refrigerator is using by visiting the Energy Star website (www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.calculator) and entering the information requested. To find the energy rates in your state, if they are not on your energy bill, go to www.eia.gov.

I have seen estimates that up to 9 percent of your annual energy use is in refrigeration, 44 percent in heating/cooling, 25 percent for appliances, 14 percent for hot water and 7 percent for lighting for a total of 99 percent. I really don't know where the other 1 percent goes.

In 2009, the total estimated residential electrical use in all 50 states was 19,349,042 megawatt hours, and that was down from 2008 and 2007, generally falling along the lines of the national gross domestic product. We tend to turn things off to conserve energy and lower utility bills when time get tough.

In addition to purchasing Energy Star-rated appliances, turning the thermostat down 1 degree for eight hours will lower your energy use for heating by 1 percent. Changing furnace filters regularly also will conserve energy. So will caulking around the exterior of windows and doors and replacing the weather strips of exterior doors.

Although I'm not a believer in manmade global warming, I am a strong believer in maintaining our natural resources. The little things we do today can mean a lot to all of us in the years ahead.

(Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors. Write to him with home improvement questions at C. Dwight Barnett, Evansville Courier & Press, P.O. Box 268, Evansville, Ind. 47702 or e-mail him at d.Barnett(at)insightbb.com.)

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