October is BC Hydro’s Power Smart Month, bringing great deals on energy-efficient appliances.

But why spend the money on an energy-efficient appliance, which might cost more than their not-as-green counterparts?

The answer is in the description: energy-efficient appliances use power much more efficiently, making less of an impact on the environment – and your wallet.

Energy Efficient examples:

• Heating the water in a clothes washer takes up 90% of the energy it spends. An ENERGY STAR front-loading washer can cut water use by nearly 40%. This reduces the electricity use up to 65%, compared to a conventional top loader.

• Clothes dryers account for more than 12% of average household electricity costs. ENERGY STAR dryers can cut down on that electricity load.

• Switching a non-ENERGY STAR dishwasher with a newer ENERGY STAR-qualified model can save you up to $40 per year. And if you want even more savings, air-dry your dishes instead of using heated dry and save up to $37 per year.

For a complete list of clothes washers, dryers and refrigerators that qualify for BC Hydro’s Power Smart Fall Appliance Program, visit the BC Hydro website.