When to Replace Older Working Appliances to Save Electricity

It is sometimes hard to justify a major purchase like an appliance to cut electricity usage. Since new appliances cost more due to inflation and technology than older appliances, it may not make sense to replace some old appliances. However, any time an appliance purchased before 1993 breaks down, electricity savings from an Energy Star qualified replacement often pay for the new appliance.

Refrigerators and freezers can last seemingly forever. It is not uncommon to see 30-, 40- or even 50-year-old refrigerators and freezers in the basement, garage or wet bar for extra storage. The savings calculator on the Energy Star site figures replacing a refrigerator made before 1980 with an Energy Star model can save over $200 a year. Replacing an equally old chest freezer would save over $120 a year.

Replacing working washers, dryers and dishwashers may not save quite as much electricity, but water savings can be considerable. According to Eric Freed's article, "Replace Your Old Appliances with New Energy-Efficient Ones", replacing a pre-1990 washer can save up to $110 a year.
In the United States, Federal tax incentives for renewable energy and efficiency improvements make new appliances even more attractive. Purchase of an Energy Star qualified appliance is eligible for a 30 percent credit on federal income taxes.

So, if the refrigerator, freezer or washing machine are more than 20 years old, replace them with Energy Star qualified appliances. Energy and tax savings will pay for the replacements, often within 5 or 6 years. Other new Energy Star qualified appliances definitely save energy, but it may not pay to replace them until they break. If you need your old appliances fixed around Akron Ohio, give us a call at (330) 257-7870     for free quote today!