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| Energy Efficiency Saves Money |
Energy Savings from Replacing an Old Refrigerator AND from My Solar PV System
Key Point: There are two parts to the cost of any appliance: purchase price + lifetime operating cost. The cheapest model to buy often costs the most in the long run because it's an energy hog (it's cheap for a reason!).
Red: Old 1980's refrigerator before 2004 • 336 kWh/month (average electricity use) Blue: New refrigerator in 2004 • 249 kWh/month (26% lower) • Saves $100/year on electricity bill • Result: Nicer $600 fridge for FREE in 6 years • Then $100 saved every year after 2009 Green: Solar PV panels installed in 2008 • -64 kWh/month average (yes, negative!) • No more electricity bill (net electricity producer) • Negative carbon footprint for electricity |
My Average Monthly Electricity Use for 3 Time Periods
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• Details about the refrigeratory story
• All about my solar PV system
• The importance of energy efficiency for minimizing the needed size of a solar PV system
Conclusion: Energy efficiency is an INVESTMENT that pays for itself over time in energy savings
(same for efficient lighting, appliances, windows, insulation, caulking and weatherizing, A/C and heating, etc.)
Energy Tip: Before buying any appliance, look for the most energy efficient models at toptenusa.org or enervee.com