Looking for ways to make an impact on your pockets, and the world?  Look no further than your own home.  Energy-efficient appliances can help you reduce utility bills while conserving natural resources.

There can be a significant difference in the energy consumption of appliances. Energy Guide labels are present on all major appliances to help select the most efficient models. These labels compare the model bearing the label with other similar models. However, this information does not indicate whether one has selected the most efficient appliance. The most efficient appliance will have certain features that should guide the purchaser to selecting the most efficient model with those features.

Washing machines are one such example, where the top loading vertical axis machines are not as efficient as models that are front loaders with a horizontal axis - both in energy and water use. The improvement by using a front loader can exceed 50% in both energy and water use. Start by identifying the features that create the most efficient energy consumption of an appliance as a starting point.

Features and options that affect the amount of hot water used play a crucial role in the overall efficiency of a washing machine. Select a model with many functions and use them appropriately. Cold water washing is adequate with proper detergents and pre-soaking. Only oily stains may require hot washes. One should also consider that in general, washing a full load is most efficient; however, a small load should have the option of using a smaller amount of water.

Refrigerators similarly have different efficiencies according to features such as defrosting characteristics (manual, partial automatic, automatic), door style, and size. The top freezer models outperform the side by side models hence it is usually less costly to run one larger refrigerator rather than two smaller ones. Manual defrost models use 1/2 half the energy of automatic defrost but must be defrosted periodically to remain energy efficient. Automatic ice makers and through-the-door dispensers will also increase energy use.

Dishwashers offer special features that improve energy efficiency. Booster heaters and no-heat drying are two helpful features. It is also important to know how much water is required by the different models and select those that can accomplish the cleaning with the least amount of water. In the case of dishwashers, water use will primarily determine the energy efficiency. Use models that require the least amount of water. Booster heaters conserve energy by allowing the primary water heater to operate at a lower temperature setting. Washing a full load is best but wash cycles options that can do smaller loads will conserve energy. It is also worth considering using a no-heat drying cycle

Visit the Malta Resources Authority website for more information about the grants scheme available for efficient household appliances (unfortunately none are currently available).