Nobody wants to pour extra

money into winter electric bills. However, with cold

winter months ahead, we will be giving our home- heating

equipment and appliances a serious workout.

That's a good reason to

look for the Energy Star� label when you are shopping

for your appliances. You'll not only save yourself some

money, you'll help save our planet for many years to

come.

The average U.S. home is

responsible for more air pollution than the average car.

When you switch on a light or a TV, a power plant is

burning fossil fuels to generate that energy. This, in

turn, creates air pollution.

energy-efficient products, you reduce household energy

use as well as air pollution. According to the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department

of Energy, Energy Star-labeled products can save

consumers about 30 percent on gas and electric bills.

Since the average U.S.

household spends $1,300 annually on energy bills, this

adds up to about a $400 savings per household. There are

two price tags associated with heating your home and

operating your appliances.

One is the operating cost,

and the other is the actual appliance sticker price. The

Energy Star label is designed to help consumers identify

new, smarter and more efficient products that save on

operating costs and have long-term environmental

benefits.

Consider Energy Star when

purchasing a TV, VCR or stereo for watching your favorite

movie or listening to that special song this winter. Most

people don't realize that these products continue to use

energy even when turned off. Some of that energy is used

to power features such as remote controls and channel and

clock settings, but much of it is wasted. Not only is it

bad for the environment, but it's costing you money!

Americans spend nearly $1

billion each year to power their TVs and VCRs when they

are switched off. The same is true for computers and home

office equipment. Energy Star-compliant computers and

office equipment are equipped with a "sleep

mode" that shuts down the machine after a period of

inactivity, saving you money on your electric bill.

Entertaining friends and

family at home can result in heavy use of household

appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers.

Consider updating your old electricity guzzler with a new

Energy Star-labeled refrigerator. Manufacturers now use

improved technology, better insulation and defrost

mechanisms.

Similarly, Energy Star

labeled dishwashers use improved technologies and less

hot water than conventional models. These efficient

technologies allow consumers to recognize significant

savings from lower energy and water bills. Fill your home

with Energy Star-labeled products this winter and watch

your electric bill melt away. For more information about

the Energy Star and efficient energy use, please call

1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937) and visit the Energy Star

Web site at www.energystar.gov.

[North American Precis

Syndicate]

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