Thinkin' green: If you want the very best appliances, in terms of energy efficiency, one that really stands out are dishwashers from Bosch. Look for the Energy Star tag in the store for models rated 190 kWh/year. These machines are also extremely quiet, typically about 42 decibels. By comparison, a luxury car at highway speed is typically about 70 decibels. They have also received recognition from JD Power for customer satisfaction. This is truly a win-win product line. For clothes washers, a standout is from Swedish manufacturer Asko. For air conditioners, one of the best is from Lennox. Their Signature Series has SEER ratings as high as 20.50. Lennox also makes gas furnaces with efficiency ratings as high as 95% AFUE. These use a variable speed fan, so quietness is one of their hallmarks. According to the government's ENERGY STAR program, you can save more than $600 each year on your energy bill, with the right appliances and home improvements!

Between 80 and 85 percent of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water. (U.S. Department of Energy). Some environmental groups recommend washing 4 out of 5 loads in cold water.

Over an air conditioner’s lifetime, only one-fourth of the total cost is for the purchase of the air conditioning unit. The greater cost – three-fourths – is for the energy to run the air conditioner (Alliance to Save Energy).

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