An energy-efficient refrigerator can lower your energy usage (kilowatt hours (kWhs)) each month for years to come. Remember, every unit of energy (kWh) saved is one less that you need to pay for. The new design of refrigerators has greatly improved the energy performance. Look for heavy door hinges which create a good seal; this prevents cold air from escaping.

1. Why choose an ENERGY STAR® labeled refrigerator?

The refrigerator is the single biggest power consumer in most households. A typical refrigerator made around 1990 uses over 900 kilowatt hours (kWhs) per year—that's the same amount of energy you would use by leaving a 1,250 watt hairdryer on for a month! And the older your refrigerator is, the more power it burns. ENERGY STAR® labeled refrigerators incorporate a number of advanced features to save energy while keeping your food fresh. To make a better refrigerator, manufacturers use the following:

• Better insulation
• More efficient compressors
• Improved heat transfer surfaces
• More precise temperature and defrost mechanisms

Your refrigerator's compressor generates heat. ENERGY STAR® labeled refrigerators use improved insulation so the compressor needs to run less often. This keeps your kitchen cooler, reducing the need to air condition. ENERGY STAR® refrigerators must exceed the July 1, 2001 minimum federal standards for energy consumption by at least 10%.

2. Which refrigerators qualify for Minnesota Power's rebate?

All ENERGY STAR® refrigerators qualify for the rebate.

3. Where can I get an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator?

You may purchase an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator at any of these participating retailers.

4. What can an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator save me?

If your refrigerator is at least 10 years old, it uses as much energy as 2 ENERGY STAR labeled refrigerators.

5. How do I choose the right refrigerator?

Here are some tips for buying a new refrigerator:

• Top freezer models are more efficient (use 7%–13% less energy) than side-by-side models.
• Manual defrost models use half the energy of automatic defrost models but must be defrosted periodically to remain energy efficient.
• Automatic ice-makers and through-the-door dispensers will increase energy use by 14%–20% and increase the purchase price by about $75–$250.
• Models with an anti-sweat heater will consume 5%–10% more energy. Look for a model that has an "energy saver" switch that allows you to turn off or turn down the heating coils (which prevents condensation).
• The most energy-efficient models are in the 16–20 cubic foot sizes. Generally, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. Too large a model will waste space and energy; too small a model could mean extra trips to the supermarket.
• It is usually less costly to run one larger refrigerator than two smaller ones.
• If two different sized refrigerators use the same amount of energy, the larger model can be considered more efficient because it keeps more space cold with the same amount of electricity.

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