Parent Time

Has your stove seen its last supper? Washing machine left you high and dry? Replacing any major appliance means a large, upfront outlay of cash. But if you shop smart, you’ll get that money back, and more — all while helping to save the planet. Switch to the most energy-efficient models marked with an Energy Star label, and you’ll see energy-bill savings that really add up over the years. (We did the math!) For almost instant cash back, check your province’s or municipality’s website for incentive
programs. Saskatchewan, for instance, offers a sales-tax exemption on Energy Star furnaces, while BC Hydro will mail you a $50 rebate when you buy a high-efficiency clothes washer or refrigerator.

Furnace

Home heating can account for up to 60 percent of your overall energy consumption, so when you’re shopping for a replacement furnace, look at annual fuel costs as well as the sticker price.

If you buy American Standard 80,000 BTU high-efficiency gas furnace, $2,900
Each year, you'll save $600 on your energy bill
Your new furnace will pay for itself in 5 years

Dishwasher

Sensors that determine how much food is on dirty dishes and the option of no-heat drying cycles make new dishwashers at least 39 percent more efficient than models produced in 1990.

If you buy GE standard built-in dishwasher, $699
Each year, you'll save 3,418 litres of water and $32 on your energy bill
Your new dishwasher will pay for itself in 22 years

Clothes washer

Front-loading washers use about 50 percent less energy, 40 percent less water and less detergent per load than top-loading machines.

If you buy LG 3.5 cubic foot front-load washer, $999
Each year, you'll save 12,136 litres of water and $77 on your energy bill
Your new clothes washer will pay for itself in 13 years

Refrigerator

Improved insulation, better heat-exchange systems and separate thermostats for the fridge and freezer sections mean that new models consume as little as half the energy.

If you buy Amana 19 cubic foot refrigerator with bottom-mount freezer, $1,268
Each year, you'll save $59 on your energy bill
Your new fridge will pay for itself in 21½ years

Electric range

Today’s stove-and-oven combos are already so efficient that there are no Energy Star–labelled models — they all perform exceptionally well.

If you buy Moffat free-standing electric self-cleaning range, $699
Each year, you'll save $26 on your energy bill
Your new range will pay for itself in 27 years

Originally published in Today's Parent, November 2009