Page 48 - November 2015 Green Builder Magazine

The Homeowner’s Handbook SIXTH EDITION
Appliances09
46 Technology you can trust.
www.greenbuildermag.com 11.2015
H OME APPLIANCES SAVE time, make our homes
VISION HOUSE® AT MARIPOSA MEADOWS SPONSOR
Proper sizing and use can make Don’t overlook
the familiar yellow
these labor-saving machines EnergyGuide sticker.
It holds a host of
more energy efficient. information that can help
you find the most efficient
appliances available.
more comfortable, and increase our quality of life.
However, there is more to choosing an appliance more air-tight compartments. While this technology can help you
than simply selecting the finish, features and price. preserve your food, it does come at a higher price.
Finding a washer, dryer or refrigerator that gets
the job done while using less energy and water has become much What to Know
easier, thanks to programs such as Energy Star and the EnergyGuide ■■ If you have a refrigerator that’s more than 15 years old, replace it!
label. These labels help you select an appliance that performs well, ■■ Energy Star–rated refrigerators can save you hundreds of
yet conserves natural resources.
dollars over the life of the appliance.
REFRIGERATORS ■■ Size matters: One big refrigerator in the kitchen is better than
The Big Energy Hogs
two small ones (i.e., one in the kitchen, one in the garage).
Of all the appliances in the home, the refrigerator can be the
most wasteful of electricity. Unlike other appliances that you WASHERS AND DRYERS
can turn off, the refrigerator is always on. Fortunately, modern Advances in Conservation
refrigerators are more than 75 percent more energy efficient than The average American family does more than 400 loads of
ones built just 15 years ago. laundry a year, so even modest energy and water savings can
greatly impact overall natural resource conservation. Reducing
Upgrading your 1970s-era fridge to a modern Energy Star option water while doing the laundry has gotten easier in the past
can save you over $200 annually in energy bills. Rebates from decade, thanks in large part to the advancement (and acceptance)
local utility companies, manufacturers, federal, state and local of front-loading washing machines.
governments are often available. Visit www.dsireusa.org to see
what’s available in your area. While top-loading machines still have their place in the market,
front-loading units use up to one-third less water, reduce the wear
Besides saving energy, some manufacturers are producing
refrigerators that simply do a better job of storing food. Smart continued on page 48
refrigerators are able to moderate the humidity of different bins
within the unit, which reduces food spoilage and waste. Fruit and
vegetables, for instance, require higher levels of humidity and a
constant circulation of air to retain their freshness, color, flavor
and vitamins. Meats, on the other hand, should be kept in drier,
VISION HOUSE® AT MARIPOSA MEADOWS SPONSOR
Amana 29” Bottom Whirlpool Compact
Freezer Refrigerator Tall Tub Dishwasher
This Energy Star-certified refrigerator features At 18” wide, this compact and sleek stainless
a pull-out freezer drawer and gallon-size door steel dishwasher fits into tight spaces where
storage bins. Offered at an attractive price point, other dishwashers cannot. Sound-reducing
this unit can reduce energy use by 42 percent insulation keeps this Energy Star-qualified
and save $400 over the life of the appliance. unit quiet during operation.
www.amana.com http://bit.ly/1NBrW5A