US launches ‘Flip Your Fridge’ scheme

The US Government has launched a new initiative encouraing people to become more energy efficient. Called “Flip Your Fridge”, it shows the benefits of recycling old refrigerators and replacing them […]

The US Government has launched a new initiative encouraing people to become more energy efficient.

Called “Flip Your Fridge”, it shows the benefits of recycling old refrigerators and replacing them with Energy Star models.

Energy Star is a standard for energy efficient products, established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

The scheme states if all US fridges, 15 years or older, were replaced by Energy Star models, householders would save more than $1 billion (£0.7bn) in energy costs a year.

That’s enought to power approximately 800,000 homes.

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said: “[US families] can save billions, increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions which fuel climate change and protect our planet for future generations.

“When a family is ready to purchase a new refrigerator, we hope they look for the little blue Energy Star label to save money and energy.”

In five years, consumers who use an Energy Star refrigerator can save $260 (£172) and reduce their carbon footprint by 7,900 pounds.

There are currently 19.5 million active refrigerators throughout the US which are 15 years or older; these models use double the amount of energy compared to Energy Star models.

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