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Checking Energy Efficiency Before Buying a Used Appliance

A secondhand appliance can look like a bargain until you account for years of extra electricity cost -- here is how to actually check that before buying.

Find the EnergyGuide label or its replacement

The yellow EnergyGuide label, required on major appliances like refrigerators, washers, and water heaters, is often removed by the time an appliance is resold secondhand. If it's missing, the model number (typically on a sticker inside the door or on the back panel) can usually be looked up on the manufacturer's site or the ENERGY STAR product database to find the original efficiency figures.

Read the estimated yearly energy cost, not just the star rating

The EnergyGuide label shows an estimated annual operating cost in dollars alongside a comparison range for similar models, based on national average electricity rates. That dollar figure translates efficiency into something directly comparable to what a newer model would cost to run.

Check how old the unit actually is, not just its condition

Efficiency standards set by the Department of Energy have tightened multiple times over the decades, so a well-maintained appliance from the 1990s or early 2000s can still use meaningfully more electricity per year than a current model in similar physical condition, even without any obvious sign of wear.

ENERGY STAR certification versus no certification at all

ENERGY STAR is a specific certification a model either has or does not have, verified against a program standard, distinct from the EnergyGuide label that all qualifying appliances carry regardless of certification. A used appliance with no ENERGY STAR mark isn't necessarily inefficient, but it hasn't been independently verified against that specific bar.

Estimate the real-world cost difference using your own electricity rate

The EnergyGuide estimate uses a national average electricity rate, which may not match your actual utility rate. Multiplying the appliance's listed annual kWh usage by your own rate per kWh (found on a utility bill) gives a more accurate yearly cost specific to where you actually live.

Why an old appliance can cost more than it looks like it saves

A secondhand appliance priced well below a new one can still be a worse deal once several years of higher electricity use are factored in, particularly for appliances that run constantly, like refrigerators. Comparing the purchase price savings against the likely multi-year electricity cost difference gives a more complete picture than comparing sticker price alone.

What to do when no label or model information is available

When a label is missing and the model number is illegible or the appliance is old enough that manufacturer records no longer exist, a rough estimate can still come from a plug-in electricity usage monitor run for a representative period after purchase, or from published average wattage figures for that appliance category and approximate age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all used appliances still qualify for ENERGY STAR rebates?

Generally no -- most ENERGY STAR rebate and utility incentive programs apply specifically to new-purchase qualifying models, not secondhand units, though program rules vary by state and utility, so it is worth checking directly rather than assuming either way.

Is it ever worth buying an older, less efficient appliance anyway?

Sometimes -- for an appliance used infrequently (like a chest freezer opened rarely) the electricity cost difference matters much less than for one running continuously, and a lower purchase price can still make sense once realistic usage patterns are factored in rather than worst-case ones.