About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.  Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars — all while saving $16 billion on their utility bills.
Save Energy, Save Money
When buying an appliance, remember that it has two price tags: what you pay to take it home and what you pay for the energy and water it uses. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10–50% less energy and water than standard models. The money you save on your utility bills can more than make up for the cost of a more expensive but more efficient ENERGY STAR model.
Front Load Washer An ENERGY STAR clothes washer can save you $550 in operating costs over its lifetime compared to a regular clothes washer. ENERGY STAR qualified washers are also better for the environment because lowering energy and water use means less air pollution from power plants and less water going to waste.

Dishwashers
ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use at least 41 percent less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption.
ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use much less water than conventional models. Saving water helps protect our nation’s water supplies.

You may also be interested to know that you can save extra energy while washing dishes, whether with a standard or an ENERGY STAR model:

Run your dishwasher with a full load. Most of the energy used by a dishwasher goes to heat water. Since you can’t decrease the amount of water used per cycle, fill your dishwasher to get the most from the energy used to run it.  Avoid using the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features. Instead use your dishwasher’s air-dry option.

Residential Refrigerators
ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators require about half as much energy as models manufactured before 1993. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators provide energy savings without sacrificing the features you want.
Earning the ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use high efficiency compressors, improved insulation, and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms to improve energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use at least 20% less energy than required by current federal standards  and 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001.

Many ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models include automatic ice-maker and through-the-door ice dispensers. Qualified models are also available with top, bottom, and side-by-side freezers.
Refrigerator Recycling Program
Say “See ya later, refrigerator” and get free pick up and a $30 cash incentive from Rocky Mountain Power – 866-899-5539.

Home Electronics
Residential electricity use by consumer electronic products is responsible for approximately 15% of household electricity use.*
Save Energy, Save Money
Home electronic products use energy when they’re off to power features like clock displays and remote controls. U.S. households spend $100 per year to power devices while they are in this “standby” power mode. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR use less energy to perform these functions, while providing the same performance and features as conventional models. Using less energy preserves energy resources and helps reduce the risks of global warming while saving money on energy bills.

Room Air Conditioners
ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners use at least 10% less energy than conventional models.
ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners often include timers for better temperature control, allowing you to use the minimum amount of energy you need to cool your room.

You may also be interested to know that many people buy an air conditioner that is too large. ENERGY STAR suggests making sure your unit is properly sized.