I must admit that I’m a bit of an environmentalist.  I don’t use paper goods (except the rare paper napkins or paper towels on occasion when the kids spill things) or other disposable food items (plastic wrap, disposable tin pans, etc.).  I turn off the water when I’m washing dishes so that no drops go to waste unnecessarily.  And I try to purchase Energy efficient appliances whenever possible.   That’s why I’m so excited to learn that soon the government will be providing incentives to consumers who want to exchange their old, non-energy efficient home appliances for more efficient models.  Not only will a rise in the use of energy efficient appliances have a great impact on the environment, but they provide a great way to improve the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank.

According to the US Department of Energy, lighting, refrigeration and cooking appliances consume 41.5% of a home’s energy consumption.  For this reason alone, I encourage you to take advantage of this new ‘cash for clunkers appliances’ deal to improve the look and efficiency of your kitchen.  (The deal will likely go into effect around November 2009).  Please note that at this time there is no such thing as an Energy-Star approved oven or stove.  Still, there are many ways to improve the energy efficiency of your kitchen.  Here are my top picks for energy efficient appliance upgrades:

1- Energy Star Refrigerators with Top Mount Freezers.  Not only do top mount freezers offer maximum storage space for frozen foods, but they also use 10-25% less energy than side-by-side or bottom freezer models.  Although this model may not be considered the most aesthetically popular design, you can easily enhance the look of your new appliance with new appliance pulls that match your existing cabinet hardware.

2-  Energy Star Dishwashers.  I love energy efficient dishwashers because not only do they save money on your electric bills, but they also use less water than less efficient models, which is better for the world and easier on your water bill.  Consumers should be aware that Energy Star guidelines for dishwashers were amended on August 11, 2009, though some models that are still being sold only conform to the outdated standards.  I highly recommend purchasing models that conform to the latest standards to ensure that your appliances are as energy efficient as possible.

3- Energy Star Freezers.  A spare freezer is a great place to store extra food- but many times extra freezers are left running when they aren’t completely full, which means that you are spending money to run your spare freezer.  To get the most bang for your buck on a spare freezer, upgrade to an Energy Star model which will save nearly $50 a year on your electricity bill.

What energy efficient appliance would you like to buy with your government rebate?