Department of Energy moves to make refrigerators and washing machines more efficient

Last week, the Department of Energy proposed new standards for refrigerators and washing machines. If finalized, the standards would save American consumers about $3.5 billion each year on energy and water bills according to the Department of Energy.

This is the first update to efficiency standards for these appliances in more than a decade.

“The cleanest energy is the energy we never use in the first place”, said Johanna Neumann, senior director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy. “Stronger energy efficiency standards for household appliances translate to energy savings and less pollution.”