Ever seen those mean and nasty rerigerator magnets shaped like a fat and happy pink pig? Every time the door is opened the pig oinks. Porky might not be commenting on the person opening the door; refrigerators are the biggest energy hogs in the house. However, they have improved and continue to do so. In the 1980s the Department of Energy set Energy Guide standards that all appliances must meet and they must display the Energy Guide label, that bright yellow tag that most of us refer to as the Energy Star label because that is the department that publicizes it. The Energy Star certification, however, is voluntary while the Energy Guide standards are mandatory. As an aside, according to Consumer Reports, when these standards were enacted there was fear that the cost of appliances would increase...(read more)

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