Best for the Kitchen

Fridge Facts

• Look for Energy Star–recommended brands at EnergyStar.gov or on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s website, ACEEE.org.
• Replacing a ten-year-old refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new Energy Star–qualified model would save enough energy to light the average household for three months and prevent more than 300 pounds of pollution each year, according to Energy Star.
• To minimize outgassing, choose models that have the least amount of plastic or rubber; opt for glass shelves and stainless steel.
• Your refrigerator uses the most electricity of all your kitchen appliances. It can account for as much as 15 percent of a home’s total energy usage, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
• Top- or bottom- freezer models are more efficient—they use 7 to 13 percent less energy than side-by-side models.
• Automatic ice makers and through-the-door dispensers increase energy use by 14 to 20 percent.
• Models with an anti-sweat heater consume 5 to 10 percent more energy. Look for a model with an “energy saver” switch that allows you to turn off or turn down the heating coils that prevent condensation.

Real Goods’ Bokashi Recycling System composts everything, including meat and dairy. It does not require turning and leaves your kitchen smelling clean and fresh. Using a simple fermentation process, it creates rich compost material in about ten days. $75. (800) 762-7325, RealGoods.com.

Simple Water Saving

Want to save water without replacing your faucet? Restrictors and aerators are the way to go.

RESTRICTOR: Limits water flow from 0.5 to 2.5 gallons per minute compared with the normal flow of 2 to 3 gallons per minute. These are inexpensive and easy to find at any local home improvement store.

AERATOR: This faucet head replacement blends air into the water flow, cutting water consumption by more than half. You can find aerators in your home center store or online. Aerators cost $1.40 to $1.85 at USA Landlord, (866) 253-0102, UsaLandlord.com.