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EPAs Energy Star Launches "Flip Your Fridge" Initiative

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program is announcing its new "Flip Your Fridge" initiative today, which demonstrates the benefits Americans would see by recycling older refrigerators and replacing them with Energy Star certified models. If all of the refrigerators in the United States that are 15 years or older are replaced with new Energy Star certified models, Americans could save more than a billion dollars in annual energy costs. That's enough energy savings to power 800,000 homes, or enough to prevent 12 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. The new initiative is being launched through an Energy Star refrigerator giveaway with Best Buy, Geek Squad and LG Electronics on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in honor of Earth Day.

"If American families recycle refrigerators that are 15 years or older and replace the appliance with an Energy Star certified model, they can save billions, increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change, and protect our planet for future generations," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "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 the first five years alone, consumers who purchase an Energy Star-certified refrigerator can save as much as $260, in addition to any rebate savings, and reduce their carbon footprint by 7,900 pounds. There are currently 19.5 million active refrigerators throughout the United States that are 15 years or older. These models use twice as much energy as new Energy Star refrigerators. In addition, Energy Star partner utilities and energy efficiency programs around the country are offering rebates and incentives for recycling an old refrigerator or toward the purchase of a new Energy Star model, or both. The agency is facilitating the relationship among utilities, retailers, and manufacturers to improve the availability of rebate information at the point of sale. The campaign will run from Earth Day to Memorial Day 2015.

Because many older refrigerators contain ozone-depleting refrigerants, Energy Star works closely with EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal program to ensure older refrigerators are properly recycled and disposed of, further helping consumers save energy, save money and protect the environment.

For more information about Flip Your Fridge, see: www.energystar.gov/flipyourfridge

Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA's Energy Star program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, Energy Star is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.