Conscious Choice Seattle: Be Cool About Saving Energy

October 2004 | Living Green

Be Cool About Saving Energy

By Co-op America

Dear Co-op America, Is it true the refrigerator is the biggest energy hog in the home? Should we replace our older model? — Jan and Mark, Bremerton

You’re right to be concerned. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the refrigerator is indeed the appliance that uses the most energy in the average home. If your fridge was made before 1993, when federal refrigerator efficiency standards improved, it is probably costing you big bucks on your electricity bill-and costing the environment in terms of fossil fuel extraction and pollution, plus global warming emissions.

In July of 2001, efficiency standards for refrigerators improved again. Models made after this date are significantly more energy-efficient than older models and can save you well over 50 percent in energy costs. Typically, the average new icebox with automatic defrost and a top-mounted freezer bought anytime during 2001 or beyond uses less than 650 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, compared to the typical model sold in 1973, which used nearly 2,000 kWh per year.

If you decide to get rid of your old fridge and buy a new one, you can save even more money and energy by looking for a super-efficient fridge, which can use as little as 434 kWh per year. To find one, check EnergyGuide labels when shopping, which will help you compare energy consumption between models.

What’s more, look for the Energy Star, which labels appliances that exceed government efficiency standards by at least 10 percent. The ACEEE Web site has a list of super-efficient refrigerators at www.aceee.org/consumerguide/topfridge.htm.

When getting rid of your old, inefficient model, be sure to recycle it. Look for recycling centers in your area by contacting your local waste management facility. You can also call the Steel Recycling Institute (800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org) to find steel recyclers in your area.

Even if you don’t buy a new fridge, you can save energy by keeping your refrigerator on the recommended temperature settings-between 37-40ºF for the fridge portion and 5ºF for the freezer. Also, remember to keep your coils clean (unless you have a no-clean condenser model) and make sure the seals on the door are airtight.

Sam’s Bad Practice

Dear Co-op America, I have read about Wal-Mart’s poor labor and environmental practices. Do these negatives also apply to Sam’s Club? My wife believes Sam’s Club is a separate entity. — David G., Bearsville, NY

Sam’s Club is owned by Wal-Mart Stores, so anytime you shop at Sam’s Club, you are supporting Wal-Mart Stores and any of Wal-Mart’s negative social and environmental behaviors.

Co-op America has significant information on Wal-Mart Stores on our Responsible Shopper Web site (www.responsibleshopper.org), which rates major corporations on social and environmental responsibility.

Co-op America recently developed a scorecard that reports on labor practices in several major retailers’ supply chains. Wal-Mart got the lowest grade, but many other retailers-including Kmart, Sears, and Target-also scored poorly. For details, visit www.sweatshops.org.

As you know, it’s best to buy from local and green businesses when you can. To find responsible companies selling everything from fair trade coffee to organic cotton clothing, consult Co-op America’s National Green Pages™ (for a free copy, call 800-58-GREEN or 800-584-7336).

Living Green is brought to you by Co-op America, a national nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing, and investing tips and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages™ directory of green businesses, call 800-58-GREEN, www.coopamerica.org.

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