Electric Companies Challenge Everyone to Look for the Energy Star | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Saturday, April 11, 2009

California News | Watch Video Above for More Information on this Story |

Sherry Fuentes and her husband are looking for a brand new energy efficient front loading washer and dryer. "Better to buy a top of the line brand because you know the quality is there," she said.

The Fuenteses expect to save up to 45% on their electric bill too. In fact they look for the energy star on every electronic device they buy like T.V.'s, dishwashers and refrigerators. PG&E officials claimed families can save up to 1/3 on their energy bill every year with this logo.

"There's a lot of energy efficient products out there right now but we want to encourage all products to come up to that standard," said Smith.

The biggest energy drainers right now are flat screen T.V.'s, computers and home entertainment systems.

PG&E officials said even small electronic devices like a portable boom box can really run up the electric bill. When it's not in use unplug it.

Smith said, "They become what we call energy vampires essentially sucking electricity."

Smith said the push to use energy star products could help save 380-million kilowatt-hours of electricity through 2011. Enough power to run 55,000 homes. The Fuenteses said it just makes sense to save especially in this rough economy. "Got to save anyway we can," exclaimed Sherry.