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Shoot for the Stars
by William & Patti Feldman
Looking to appeal to green-minded tenants and save on energy costs? Consider installing new Energy Star refrigerators. After all, the refrigerator/freezer is the appliance responsible for consuming the most energy in the kitchen.
Today’s Energy Star refrigerators are even more energy efficient than Energy Star units manufactured just a few years ago and far more energy efficient than energy saver units from 10 years ago. (Energy Star is a joint DOE-EPA program, created in 1992, aimed at achieving environmental gains in lower energy consumption through increased energy efficiency. Products, including appliances that meet applicable standards, are certified to carry an Energy Star label.)
As of April 2008, all Energy Star-qualified refrigerators larger than 7.75 cubic feet (full size) must use at least 20% less energy than required by current federal standards and 40% less energy than conventional models sold in 2001. Before that date, Energy Star refrigerators were required to be 15% more efficient than federal standards. Units meeting that requirement can still be sold but can no longer be sold with an Energy Star label affixed on it.
Energy Star refrigerators feature lower energy consumption thanks to a host of technological advances, such as high-efficiency compressors, better insulation and more precise temperature controls. Even at the lower end of the price range, they often incorporate convenience features that used to be limited to high-end models. They are available in a broad range of sizes in the usual configurations: bottom freezer, top freezer or side-by-side compartments.
All things being equal, top freezer models generally cost less than bottom freezer units and typically offer the most interior space for their dimensions. Bottom freezer models are available either with traditional full-width refrigerator doors, or with French doors on the refrigerator compartment that open from the center for easy access. Bottom freezer refrigerators hold the refrigerated food at convenient eye level. Side-by-side refrigerators are good options where there is no room to completely swing open a full width door. Counter-depth refrigerators create a built-in look and can provide generous storage space without taking up extra width.
Small Premium, Big Savings
Energy Star-labeled refrigerators may carry a premium over some similar models not labeled Energy Star, but when evaluating the return on this investment, keep in mind the dramatic reduction in operating costs.
Given the cost of energy, replacing old with new can have a big impact on utility bills. Compared to models manufactured before 1993, new Energy Star-qualified refrigerators will use just half the energy; compared with units from 1980, energy consumption can be cut by as much as 65%.
Indeed, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that, based on the reduction in consumption of electricity, any increase in price over the cost of a new non-Energy Star-qualified refrigerator should be offset within three to five years.
Many moderately priced models have features that have filtered down from top-of-the-line units. These include: adjustable door bins, automatic icemakers, through-the-door chilled water and/or ice, temperature-controlled vegetable crispers and temperature-controlled meat keepers.
Some models may also have on-the-door touch controls, which allow users to modify refrigerator and freezer functions without opening either door, eliminating the escape of cold air and helping the compartment maintain a consistent temperature with a minimum of energy consumption. Others have LED temperature displays and LED lighting, which is cool to the touch, in the main compartment and, in some models, in the freezer and in drawers. (LED lighting is the lowest available energy consuming type of lighting. It provides enhanced user-friendly visibility for selecting food items and for cleaning.) Another high-end feature is automatic moisture control, which is designed to prevent moisture accumulation on the exterior of the cabinet without the addition of a heater. (Anti-sweat heaters consume 5% to 10% more energy than units without that feature.)
Refrigerators for Rentals
Sears has several Kenmore Energy Star 18.2-cubic-foot top freezer refrigerators that feature clean adjustable gallon door bins, spillproof glass shelves, humidity controlled crispers, a clear deli drawer and an icemaker. The units, which have such features as enhanced mid-level lighting, a full-width freezer shelf and a tilt out freezer door bin, are available in bisque, stainless and black.
GE’s Energy Star-qualified 17.9-cubic-foot frost-free top freezer refrigerators have spillproof glass shelves, illuminated upfront temperature controls, adjustable humidity vegetable/fruit crispers, a snack drawer and dual level interior lighting. NeverClean condenser coils are encased, so they don’t require cleaning in normal operating environments. They are available in white, black and bisque.
Whirlpool’s Energy Star-qualified white-on-white automatic defrost 30-inch wide 18.3-cubic-foot top freezer refrigerator (model ET8WTEXVQ) has a reversible-swing flat-textured door, upfront temperature controls, adjustable DuraWhite wire shelves, clear crispers, a clear meat pan and fixed door storage. The unit also has an Accu-Chill temperature management system with foam-in-place doors and Double Tab construction for accurate temperature control in fresh food and freezer compartments. An icemaker is optional.
The Maytag Energy Star-qualified French door refrigerator (model MFF2558V) with bottom freezer has an electronic Dual Cool system, glide-out freezer drawer, adjustable tempered-glass shelves and a wide “deli drawer” that accommodates cold storage of deli trays. The unit, which features a Bright Series lighting package that allows good visibility deep into the fridge, has pick-off gallon-plus door bins, fresh-lock crispers with humidity control, automatic moisture control, and a Quiet Series 200 sound package that keeps it running quietly. The unit is available in biscuit, black, satina and stainless steel.
Frigidaire’s Energy Star (model FRT18HS6J) 18-cubic-foot top-freezer refrigerator has Ultrasoft textured doors and handles, two clear crispers, two humidity controls, two sliding full-width SpillSafe glass shelves, three fixed door bins (two with gallon storage), and clear dairy and deli drawers. The unit, which is available in bisque, black and white, has a NeverClean condenser.
On the Higher End
The Liebherr HC 1050 24-inch Energy Star-rated combined refrigerator-freezer features a NoFrost Freezer, precise audible/visual electronic temperature controls for each compartment, scratch-resistant glass storage shelves, which
are dishwasher-safe, and an icemaker. The refrigerator compartment has a
capacity of 7.1 cubic feet, while the freezer compartment has a capacity of 2.1 cubic feet. The unit is a common choice for builders and developers in LEED condominium projects because, in addition to saving energy, its integrated design blends well into the kitchen cabinetry.
Bosch’s counter-depth Evolution Energy Star-qualified series features color matched sides and hidden door hinges for a built-in look. Sensors in both compartments constantly measure the interior temperature to provide consistent cooling and aid in controlling the frequency of the defrost cycle, which activates only when needed. Other energy saving features include an exterior temperature control and a covered condenser, which prevents dirt and dust build-up. The unit also features spill-proof adjustable glass shelving, external color-matched water dispenser with water filter reset and child lock, and Supercool/Superfreeze, which enables users to quickly chill warm food by dropping the interior temperature to the lowest possible setting. Once this temperature is reached, the refrigerator or freezer automatically returns to its original setting. The model is available in stainless steel, black or white finishes.
GE’s Energy Star Profile 25.8-cubic-foot bottom freezer refrigerator with a 7-inch LCD media center sports a food-preservation system that uses dual-evaporator technology to help maintain separate climates in the fresh-food compartment and the freezer. The system utilizes multiple electronic sensors, a multiflow air system and electronic controls to improve energy efficiency and help maintain food freshness. The media center, located above the water and ice dispenser, displays photos easily uploaded via a standard camera memory card and can show recipe substitutions and nutrition information on many food products. The model, available in stainless steel finish, uses brilliant energy-efficient LED lighting to fully illuminate the interior of the refrigerator.
The Maytag Energy Star Ice2O counter-depth French door refrigerator with bottom freezer has an external ice and water dispenser, a beverage chiller section that maintains drinks up to four degrees colder, and a wide deli drawer. A “vacation mode” setting further conserves energy when homeowners are away by stabilizing freezer temperatures for the interim. An insulated locking magnetic door seal keeps cold air in and warm air out. A door-ajar alarm and a temperature alarm sound the alert if a refrigerator door or freezer drawer is left open for three minutes, helping avoid waste of energy and food spoilage.
The Whirlpool Energy Star-qualified Gold French door bottom-mount refrigerator (model G15FSAXV) has an external water and ice dispenser, an electronic temperature readout on the door, and extra-tall humidity-controlled crispers for watermelons, large pastries and other large items. The model also has a caddy for tall bottles, two gallon-sized bins to store a case of beverages, a can caddy in the door and an extra ice bucket with a scoop. Available in stainless steel, satina, white and black finishes.
For a current list of all Energy Star-qualified refrigerators, visit www.energystar.gov.
The list includes model configuration, volume, adjusted volume, defrost type and whether the refrigerator has a through-the-door ice feature. The list also provides the estimated annual energy of the unit under typical conditions and how much less energy the model uses compared to the 2001 federal standards.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the SFAA or the SF Apartment Magazine. William and Patti Feldman are freelance writers. Copyright © 2009 by Black Point Press. All rights reserved.