I can just see all the energy star commercials on that network now. "Save the enviroment and save money at the same time!" All you have to do is replace your old klunker refrigerator with a nice energy star compliant model, made by our advertisers....
Well, let's look at the energy star refrigerators. The old avacado green fridges would last a good 40 years. These days you are lucky to get 10 out of em.
"They cost less to operate" Yes, they will save you money on your electric bill, but you will have to buy three additional appliances in the time you would have had to buy one before.
"It's better for the enviroment" Actually, now you have 4 dead fridges in a landfill instead of one. The old fridge had more steel in it and more components that could be recycled, the new ones are mostly plastic. Lets add to it the amount of fossil fuels used to ship it from overseas - stateside - and to your home.
Now, for the same productivity you have three additional trips worth of emissions from an ocean bound vessel (or aircraft), three extra trips to the store to find new units (meaning three more expensive purchases - and pressure to get three more extended service contracts - but lets not go that route), three extra delivery vehicles emissions worth of drop off, three more plastic coffins sitting in the landfill....
is buying green really being green? I wonder if they will ever address issues like this on planet green... or if they will come up for a good use for all the mercury in the CFL bulbs???