EnergyGuide Labels

Which appliance is right for you?

It can be a tough call, with today’s seemingly endless features and options. But don’t overlook one

of the most critical comparison points of all – operating costs. In order to compare operating costs, energy costs should be determined first.

The U.S. Department of Energy does this for you each year, taking into account fuel costs on a national average. You’ll find the results on the reader-friendly EnergyGuide labels on most major appliances. The EnergyGuide label tells you how much it costs to run the appliance, based on its fuel and efficiency rating.

For helpful information on reading the label or choosing energy-efficient appliances, visit these sites:

How to read the EnergyGuide Label

Major appliance shopping guide

Shopping for Energy-efficient Appliances and Home Electronics

Fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil are rated in terms of their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). It takes into account the appliance’s Btu per hour input capacity, and how well it converts the fuel into usable energy. A Btu or British Thermal Unit is a measure of heat energy or the amount needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

A bar graph on the EnergyGuide label compares the appliance to the least and most efficient comparable models in annual operating cost.

You can also use the EnergyGuide label to determine your actual operating cost based on local fuel prices and usage. Just call the City of Mesa Utilities Marketing staff at (480) 644-3683 or (480) 644-3225 and we’ll be happy to provide you with the current cost per therm (100,000 Btus), which is the unit by which natural gas is measured.

With this cost, you can easily determine how much money it will take to operate the appliance. Remember, that the cost of operating the appliance will vary as your usage and fuel rates fluctuate.

Finally, when comparing appliances, price should not be your first consideration. Because even though you may save money in the short run with a less efficient appliance, you’ll pay more over time to operate it.

The time you take now to compare and consider your options will repay you handsomely in fuel and cost savings. When you look at the big picture in terms of your appliance investment, you’ll discover that natural gas appliances give you the best return for your energy dollar.

Information on natural gas appliances.