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Reading EnerGuide

The EnerGuide label is a tool that provides valuable information about the amount of electricity an appliance uses every year. It also helps you compare the energy use of similar appliances. All new major appliances (except microwave ovens) must carry the EnerGuide label.

Some appliances have a wide range of energy consumption. In many cases, the more energy efficient appliance costs more - but remember, the initial cost is only the first price tag. That same appliance could soon make up for the difference because of its second price tag - the cost of operating the appliance over its lifetime.

The 10 second guide to reading the label and being a smarter shopper

1. The annual energy consumption of the appliance in kilowatt hours. The lower the number, the higher the savings.
2. The energy consumption indicator shows you how this model compares to others in its class. The bar below the indicator gives the energy efficiency range for this class of appliance. The further the indicator is to the left end of the scale, the better.
3. This bar shows you the energy consumption of the most and least efficient appliances in this class. In this case, the most efficient comparable model consumes 564 kWh per year while the least efficient uses 972 kWh per year.
4. This is the classification for the appliance. It tells you the type and capacity range of similar models compared.

Appliance life expectancy
Are your appliances at the end of their useful life? Older appliances are less energy efficient, and offer an excellent opportunity to upgrade and save! The chart below indicates average life expectancies for various types of appliances

Ready, set, compare!
First, make sure you’re comparing models in the same class. Next, check the kWh number - lower is better. Finally, make sure the indicator is as far to the left as possible. That’s it - it’s easy!

To download the latest EnerGuide Appliance Directory from the EnerGuide site, click here. The EnerGuide site is a great resource for energy efficiency information - it includes content on appliances, heating and cooling equipment, houses and vehicles.

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