Best for the Kitchen-Water-conserving dishwashers, energy-conserving refridgerators and other must-haves 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.

• Use small, less energy-intensive appliances such as crock pots, electric frying pans, and toaster ovens whenever possible.
• Gas ovens use much less energy than their electric counterparts because the fuel is used directly for cooking.
• On gas ovens, electronic pilotless ignitions use 30 percent less gas than models with a constantly burning pilot light, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
• Halogen elements and induction elements are more efficient than conventional electric coil elements.
• Convection ovens, which use fans to circulate hot air around food, are 23 percent more efficient than conventional ovens, estimates the U.S. Department of Energy.
• The range hood should ventilate to the outside and not simply recirculate and filter cooking fumes. This is especially important with gas ranges, which emit carbon monoxide and aldehydes.
• Consider buying a self-cleaning oven. They use less energy for normal cooking because of higher insulation levels, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Use the self-cleaning feature sparingly.