Choosing the Right Appliance
Your choice of household appliances will hinge on your personal tastes, budget and what best matches your interior decor. Brushed stainless-steel appliances might be featured in all the fancy magazines, but that may not suit your style (or budget) at all.
If you're shopping for new appliances, look for the "Energy Guide" label. From refrigerators to water heaters, all major household appliances meant for heating and cooling are posted with a federal "Energy Guide" label that rates their energy efficiency.
These labels convey a wealth of information about the energy requirements of the appliance, its yearly operating costs and how it compares to other models. Some labels use numbers to illustrate the yearly cost of operation, others use dollar amounts.
-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com