Energy Savings: The gift that keeps on giving
Mon Dec 3 2012
As anyone shopping for holiday gifts knows, televisions, computers, DVD players, and other home electronics are high on many wish lists. This year, as consumers become increasingly aware of electronics’ second price tag – higher electric bills – Efficiency Vermont can help make sure that those gifts don’t come with a hidden lump of coal.
Home electronics can account for about 15% of household electricity use. Some of the largest, high resolution TVs can use as much electricity as a refrigerator.
“It’s easier than ever to find top-quality, energy efficient home electronics,” said Jim Merriam, Director of Efficiency Vermont. “Just look for the Efficiency Vermont label and you can purchase with confidence that you are getting a product that will perform well and not come back to bite you with higher energy bills.”
The Efficiency Vermont green and yellow label reads “Save Money by Saving Energy,” and can be found on a range of home electronics at stores throughout Vermont. All of these products meet or exceed federal ENERGY STAR® standards for quality and energy savings. ENERGY STAR qualified televisions, for example, use about 40% less energy than standard units.
To lower the electricity costs of an electronics gift even more, include an advanced power strip with it. It’s easy to set these simple, plug-in power strips to automatically shut off power to home electronics equipment that isn’t being actively used. That saves money and energy because today’s electronics use electricity even when they are turned off or are in stand-by mode.
If this season’s gift is replacing unwanted electronics, that old TV, computer, or other equipment can be recycled or reused instead of being added to a landfill. To locate Vermont waste facilities that recycle or find new homes for unwanted equipment, visit http://anr.state.vt.us/dec/e-waste/.
Learn more about saving money and energy at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
November 30, 2012 – Burlington, VT – Efficiency Vermont was created by the Vermont Legislature and the Vermont Public Service Board to help all Vermonters reduce energy costs, strengthen the economy, and protect Vermont's environment. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990 or visit www.efficiencyvermont.com.