Get Energy Star Appliances For Your Home Renovation

In today's economy, homeowners are increasingly interested in green home remodeling

, especially when it comes to a kitchen or home-office remodeling project. These are rooms that house a lot of energy-eating appliances and electronics, such as refrigerators, washing machines, computers, and printers, but how do you ensure that you are getting the most efficient gadgets during your home renovation? Look for the Energy Star label.

Most people know that Energy Star-rated appliances can save you energy and money, but how much? What if a rated appliance costs more than a non-rated competitor? Is it really worth it? The answer to these questions lies in the details of program.

Program Details

Energy Star, a federal government program, sets energy-efficiency standards for a wide variety of appliances and electronics. These standards are periodically reviewed and made more stringent, usually when the rated products achieve a 50% market share in their category. That way, the label will always apply to today's most energy-efficient models - not those that were efficient in 1998.

Energy use standards vary according to the product. Manufacturers test their appliances and then apply for the Energy Star label. In order to qualify:

Products must use significantly less energy than non-efficient counterparts.

Products must offer expected features and performance for their category.

If a product costs more than its less-efficient competitor, the consumer must be able to recover the cost difference in a reasonable amount of time.

Products must be labeled with energy information that allows consumers to choose among different Energy Star-labeled products.

You May Qualify for a Tax Credit

If you're planning or have started a home remodel, 2010 is a particularly great time to purchase an Energy Star-rated product. As part of the Recovery Act, the federal government has given individual states money for a special rebate program for appliances. Each state determines what kind of Energy Star-rated appliances qualify for the rebates and sets the rebate amounts. Find out what your state offers.

by: Joaquin Erazo, Jr.

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