Appliances companies are stepping up to offer us more efficient products, along with more styles and configurations. Green kitchen design was a big theme at the 2008 KBIS show, and I wanted to mention a couple specific products from the show that you may want to check out if you're shopping for an appliance.

Fisher & Paykel's Energy Star rated, top-loading EcoSmart, IntuitiveEco and AquaSmart washers, are good choices if you're looking to save water and energy. The AquaSmart washer earned a MEF (modified energy factor) rating of 2.15, which exceeds the DOE 2007 standard of 1.72 by 25%. It also meets the CEE (Consortium for Energy Efficiency) criteria for Tier 2 efficiency adopted on 1/1/07.  This makes it the most energy efficient top loading washing machine in North America. These washers are also eligible for utility rebates. Fisher & Paykel's DishDrawer dishwasher offers the option of an economical, small load using as little as 1.98 gallons of water compared to 2.6 gallons on average for a normal eco cycle.

Bosch’s product line is Energy Star qualified in the refrigeration, laundry and dishwasher categories. Their stainless steel Integra 800 Series Dishwasher is both Energy Star and NSF Certified, and smartly manages energy and water consumption. For the more frugal buyer Bosch offers their Ascenta dishwashers series. Ascenta diswashers employ Ecosense technology, which examines the soil level in the water and customizes the wash cycle to save up to 20% in energy costs. The Integra Refrigerator and Freezer units come with settings that will allow you to use less energy.

Another European company, Fagor, has been creating waves with its energy efficient induction cook tops, Energy Star rated dishwashers and washers. Fagor's induction cooktops cook 50% faster than gas or electric cooktops, boiling water in seconds. The unit uses 90% of the energy produced compared to 50% with other cooking methods. Induction cooktops are unique in that the energy is directly supplied to the cookware by a magnetic field. The cooktop recognizes the base of the cookware so that it heats only the diameter of the pot, wasting little energy. Another new product showcased by Fagor at KBIS was its tall tub dishwasher. It’s equipped with an eco-sensor which measures the level of soil in the wash water and fills the tub with fresh water only when it is necessary. Fagors washing line consists of four models, all of which are Energy Star rated and boast an extra large capacity of up to 15 pounds of laundry.

All energy efficient appliances will cost you more initially, but will save you money in the long run. Expect to keep most major appliances between 10 and 20 years. A more efficient appliance soon pays for itself; lower monthly utility bills over the lifetime of the appliance that will more than offset a higher purchase price. In addition, the latest resource-efficient clothes washers and dishwashers not only save electricity, they also use a lot less water, will preserve your clothes better and can reduce your water bill.