Investing in energy-efficient appliances not only benefits you as the consumer, but it also benefits the environment.  Here are just a few of the advantages to investing in greener appliances:

* Lower utility bills
Because of federal regulations, newer appliances are less expensive to run than older ones.  Consider refrigerators - according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a typical refrigerator with top-mounted freezer made in 1990 uses twice the energy of a modern refrigerator.  Thus, replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones will save you money and help finance the appliance.  In the case of dishwashers and washing machines, the newer models not only use less electricity but they also use less water.    
    
* More money in your pocket
In these uncertain economic times, being able to keep more of your hard-earned money is a definite advantage.  While the purchase of a new, energy-efficient appliance will probably be a significant expense, it will pay for itself long before its average lifespan (15 years) is over.  Also, there are federal tax credits available to green consumers, according to energystar.gov.  

* Support of energy-efficient manufacturers
When you spend money on an energy-efficient appliance, you are helping to secure the future of the company that manufactured it.  The consumer dollar speaks, and this sort of purchase sends a message to other manufacturers to produce more energy-efficient models.  As the demand increases, the supply will also increase, and ultimately the price for such appliances will come down.  Your purchase helps ensure that these appliances will be available and affordable in the future. 

* Less use of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels such as coal are burned to make electricity, and these fuels will not last forever.  We are, however, still dependent on them as our primary source of energy.  As researchers continue to seek alternative energy sources, you can help “buy us some time” by investing in appliances that require less energy, and thus use less fossil fuel.      

* Fewer emissions and less pollution
The burning of fossil fuels to make electricity produces emissions and pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.  Sulfur dioxide is a by-product of burning coal, and when it rises into the atmosphere it mixes with moisture and forms acid rain.  High levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have been implicated in global warming. 

In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency officially declared fossil fuel emissions a health threat this past April.  If your appliance uses less electricity, then it is ultimately using less fossil fuel, and that means fewer emissions, cleaner air, and a more stable climate.

When you decide to make your purchase, look for the yellow EnergyGuide that is required on every new appliance.  This will tell you exactly how much energy the said appliance is expected to consume.  You can fully expect that your household utility bills will decrease, and your peace of mind will increase – because investing in energy-efficient appliances is an investment in the future. For more tips, you may want to check out Money Sense Tips.