ORLANDO, FLORIDA…
While it’s the objective of most homeowners to run a greener household, the other kind of green—dollars—often dictates how much you can commit. When selecting household appliances like a refrigerator, however, homeowners should consider the potential energy savings more so than the sticker price.
“At this stage of the game, consumers know they should be selecting an Energy Star product, but beyond that, it’s back to how much it costs rather than how much you can save,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Orlando. “By doing a little research and examining your needs, you can save some green and be green.”
Cohen recommends:
- Shopping for Energy Star-rated refrigerators that exceed the government’s minimum requirements.
- Reviewing energy guides supplied by the U.S. government that compare kilowatt-hour usage and estimated yearly energy costs associated with refrigerators. Energy guides are available online.
- Buying a refrigerator with a highly efficient compressor and good insulation. Poor compression or insulation can allow cool air to escape, which will raise energy costs.
- Selecting a refrigerator that enables you to choose the exact temperature you desire for both the refrigerator and freezer.
- Choosing freezer-on-top models that have an energy saver switch, which allows you to deactivate the anti-sweat function. This lowers moisture content, a feature that’s only necessary when humidity is high.
- Purchasing the smallest refrigerator that will comfortably meet your needs (smaller refrigerators consume less energy than their larger counterparts will because they have to less space to cool).
- Considering separate refrigerator and freezer units. This will increase the food-storage capabilities of both units and decrease the radiant loss from one compartment to the next (the amount of cold-air “leakage” from the freezer into the refrigerator that occurs with refrigerator/freezer combinations).
“Selecting an energy-efficient refrigerator reminds me of the old expression ‘don’t work harder, work smarter,’” said Cohen. “While it’s an important first step to select an Energy Star-rated refrigerator, doing your due diligence can really make a dent in your monthly energy costs.”
The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy Club offers manufacturer-direct pricing on products ranging from energy-efficient refrigerators to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy Club also offers design, delivery, and installation services. Conveniently located at 502 Sunport Lane, Suite 400, in Orlando, DirectBuy of Orlando offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.
For more information on a DirectBuy Club membership, visit directbuycares.com.
About DirectBuy Club
For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.
Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting directbuy.com or directbuycares.com.
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