SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Black Friday marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season and while not everyone is thinking about their energy use, a good bargain on the latest appliance or electronic this month can end up adding more to your electric bill next month and beyond. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) encourages customers to choose energy-efficient products that will deliver energy savings throughout the year.
“If your holiday wish list includes big-ticket items like household appliances, remember to look for the ENERGY STAR® label. These products use about half as much energy as other devices and can help our customers save big on energy costs – all while benefitting the environment,” said PG&E Senior Director of Energy Efficiency Vincent Davis.
While many customers don’t factor energy consumption into their shopping budget, electronics and appliances have two price tags – the purchase price, plus the cost of electricity needed to use the product over its lifetime. Adding low-efficiency appliances to your home can increase your energy bill and impact your budget. For example, an old clothes washer can add up to $145 in energy costs compared to a newer, energy-efficient model – not to mention the savings on your water bill.
PG&E offers the following tips to help consumers ensure holiday gifts are more energy efficient:
- Always check for the ENERGY STAR® label when purchasing appliances or electronics.
- Do your research ahead of time. Compare products’ energy requirements before you buy. Visit PG&E Marketplace to explore our one-stop shop for all energy-saving appliances and consumer electronics.
- Check if your new purchase qualifies for a rebate with the retailer or PG&E.
- Stick to your budget and shopping list. Adding appliances to your home will increase your energy usage. For example, having an extra refrigerator at home can cost at least an additional $100 each year to operate.
- Use power strips to save up to $75 in energy costs each year. Many devices draw power even when they are turned off. Since plugs can be tough to remove from the outlet and reconnect, use a power strip to cut off power to multiple devices at once – saving time, energy and money.
PG&E customers can also spread their energy savings throughout the year by making energy-efficient changes throughout their home. To find out how to reduce your home’s energy usage, visit PG&E’s website and take a free 5-minute Home Energy Checkup.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and pge.com/news.
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