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If you think energy-efficient products for your home won’t make much of a difference on the environment, consider this: The average home in America causes twice the greenhouse gas emissions as the average car.

Energy-efficient appliances are not only good for the environment, but they are also wallet-friendly, both over the long run and in monthly costs. Choosing ENERGY STAR-certified appliances is a good idea for any home.

Five-star appliances
ENERGY STAR is a program run by the Environmental Protection Agency with help from the Department of Energy. Started in 1992, Energy Star’s purpose is to help consumers improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

By using ENERGY STAR-certified products, Americans saved $12 billion on energy bills in 2005. That’s equivalent to taking the greenhouse gas emissions of 23 million cars off the road, according to Maria Vargas, spokeswoman for ENERGY STAR.

ENERGY STAR is not to be confused with the EnergyGuide, the yellow label found on home heating and cooling equipment that gives information on energy efficiency. Look for products with a high energy efficiency number on the EnergyGuide, because it indicates better efficiency. The guide will indicate if the product has earned the ENERGY STAR designation.

Higher quality at a lower cost
ENERGY STAR labels appear on 50 different products for both home and office. When buying an ENERGY STAR product, consumers can count on the presence of several characteristics. Because of its energy-efficient makeup, “it does more with less,” Vargas says.

The appliance will deliver the same, if not better, quality. “You’re not getting any less of a product,” Vargas says. “It either maintains or improves the quality of what you were looking for.” The product is also cost effective, even though the price of the actual unit may not seem that way.

Some bigger ticket items can have an additional cost. “The reason is, typically, manufacturers will seek to put ENERGY STAR on their newest products,” Vargas says. “What you’re paying for is not the efficiency; what you’re paying for are the stainless steel exteriors, or water and ice through the refrigerator door. It’s more costly simply because you’re buying the latest model.” Consider what it costs to operate the more efficient unit over its life—that’s where you will save money.

Pick the right product

Vargas emphasizes that there are no limits when it comes to choosing an ENERGY STAR product. A large family, for example, doesn’t need to worry that their energy-efficient washer won’t be able to clean the loads of clothes they’ll fill it with—it can definitely get the job done.

Looks can be deceiving; even the crème de la crème of appliances can have efficient properties. Diane Coker, representative for The Westye Group (the distributor of Sub-Zero built-in refrigeration and Wolf cooking appliances) says the fact that many refrigeration units use two compressors does not mean they are more costly to run. The Sub-Zero Pro 48 refrigeration unit consumes less energy than a 100-watt light bulb.

Consumers are catching on that energy efficiency doesn’t mean quality deficiency. “I’m seeing a little bit more awareness on the consumer level,” says Lisa Turner, president of Angler Construction, of the importance of ENERGY STAR and other energy-efficient practices. Much of that has to do with the array of products available on the market. Until recently, you didn’t have as many choices.

Even if homeowners don’t know everything about energy- efficient appliances, they still want to own the most effective things they can, according to Turner.

Educating clients doesn’t stop at telling them about ENERGY STAR products. The way a home is built and insulated also plays an important role in maintaining an energy-efficient environment; however, if you’re not in the market for a major remodel, new appliances are a good place to start.