The pursuit of living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t come overnight. Making necessary, sustainable adjustments to the way you live should be consistent, intentional and instinctual. So if you’re determined to make wiser resource choices, your home is a good place to start. Here are some tips for switching to eco-friendly home appliances.
Prioritize up-to-date technology.
Many brands now utilize eco-friendly technology and make products that have little to no adverse effects on the environment. Naturally, seek out sustainable sources of energy. Make up-to-date appliances a priority.
Choose items that are energy-efficient and/or are made from recycled materials. There are now products with self-timers and automatically turn off. Look for products whose operating cycles can be adjusted.
Innovative and green technology are often better choices than their older equivalents. For instance, an LED television provides a better and brighter display, while using less power and reduced heat dissipation. LED TVs help to save energy and reduce overall pollution.
Another tip is to purchase a newer model refrigerator instead of using an older one. On average, older refrigerators consume twice the energy of more recent versions. By replacing your older refrigerator with a much more efficient and better-insulated counterpart, less energy is consumed and money is saved.
Size matters. 
Consider your oven: do you really need such a big, energy consuming accessory in your kitchen? Purchase a halogen oven instead. They are energy-efficient, multi-functional, and occupy less space in your kitchen. Plus, the halogen heating technology will save you up to 40% of cooking time.
Alternatively, smaller is not always better. Having a compact refrigerator filled with groceries and frozen goods is much less energy efficient compared to having a larger one. Ultimately, smaller refrigerators work harder to function and keep everything cold.
Another helpful tip is to get a refrigerator without an automatic ice maker. Refrigerators with automatic ice makers are energy-consuming beasts and can be costly to maintain in the long run. Instead, invest in ice trays and keep those in your freezer. The same results are achieved, but with better economic benefits.
Be mindful of the energy source. 
Appliances such as clothes dryers, water heaters, or stoves can be powered by electric or gas. Gas units may be effective, but there is the threat of dangerous gas leaks/ emissions. Electricity-reliant units, on the other hand, pose little to no threats in a household.
The best energy option, however, is to integrate solar panels into your home system. This is pricey, but renewable energy extends both economic and environmental benefits. Perhaps start with purchasing some solar-powered smaller appliances and/or gadgets to get a feel for the solar experience. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons. You’ll thank yourself later on.
Look for appliances that allow short cycles.
Household appliance staples such as dryers, dishwashers, or washing machines are much trickier purchases. Higher-end quality items always demand more energy use. However, all come with timer options. Choose items that provide multiple cycles instead of fewer ones. For example, a washing machine isn’t an energy-saving appliance by design. Nevertheless, you can limit its energy consumption by buying one that allows for shorter washing cycles.
Opt for appliances with timers and shut offs.
Appliances with adjustable timers and automatic shut offs are great options as they reduce energy consumption. Aside from not having large electricity bills, the freedom of being able to go about your day without worrying about your appliances is helpful. Imagine not fretting over whether or not you turned off the air conditioner or the coffee maker when you left the house. It’s a liberating feeling.
Choose Energy Star products. 
Heavier, bulkier appliances consume the most energy. They demand more power to function. They are the most expensive to maintain — especially when utilized daily. All things considered, when buying a refrigerator, a television, oven and/or an electric stove, choose ENERGY STAR certified products. Essentially, these items meet strict criteria that adhere to energy-efficient guidelines and protocols set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Furthermore, choosing ENERGY STAR appliances lets you be confident that your item makes use of sustainable energy.
Enjoy the process — and the shopping.
An environmentally-friendly lifestyle is possible, starting with some basic decisions on eco-friendly home appliances. From there, a ripple effect results as your future product selections are shaped with sustainability in mind. As you shop, know that your choices may save some green, in both your pocket and for our environment.
eco-friendly home appliances
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Bjorn Tabanera, Guest Contributor
Bjorn Tabanera, a former Filipino journalist, is an independent creative writer who covers lifestyle, technology, pop culture, and freelancing. He is an advocate of sustainability, the subject of his numerous essays for eco-friendly media such as beeco. Bjorn believes that literature can change the world.
Eco-Friendly Home Appliances
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EnergyStar logo via EnergyStar.com