Page 46 - The Homeowner's Handbook 2017

THE HOMEOWNER’S HANDBOOK EIGHTH EDITION

can quickly lower utility bills. Dishwashers that offer cycle selections
and energy-saving options can help reduce the amount of water What are Smart Appliances?
you use.
To dissolve detergent and remove grease, dishwashers require
extremely hot water. Many dishwashers now come with a “booster” or ET READY FOR A whole new wave of intelligent
internal heating element that raises the incoming water temperature appliances. These “smart” refrigerators, washers,
to the required 140 degrees. dryers and water heaters can track how much
This can allow you to lower the temperature on your water heater Genergy they are using; those that are smart grid
and still allow your dishwasher to operate at optimum levels. Some ready have the ability to shift usage to periods of lower electricity
dishwashers offer the booster cycle, but only if you select “heavy demand, thereby easing pressure on the electrical grid. For
duty.” example, a smart washer can delay the start of a load to off-peak
Along with energy and water savings, noise is a factor in choosing times, or a refrigerator can turn its compressor off for a couple
a dishwasher. Measured in decibels (dB), the amount of sound of hours.
produced can vary dramatically by make and model.
Normal conversation levels range around 60 dB, so choosing a Some smart
unit that is quieter than that is important. Because of advances in features are
geared toward
convenience;
for example, you
Glossary of Terms
Know the Lingo can select cycles
and start or start
washer or dryer
■ Modified Energy Factor (MEF): MEF is the loads remotely,
■ IMAGE CREDIT: LG ELECCTRONICS
official energy efficiency metric used to compare relative download new
efficiencies of different clothes washers. MEF considers cycles or even
the energy used to run the washer, heat the water and troubleshoot
run the dryer. The higher the MEF, the more efficient the problems with
clothes washer.
technicians. LG Electronics offers a smart refrigerator that will
■ Water Factor (WF): WF is a measurement of water efficiency
■ send you a photo of its contents to your smartphone, if you’re
that is calculated as gallons of water used per cubic foot of having trouble remembering what you need to buy at the
capacity. The lower the number the more water efficient the grocery store. Smart ovens can download and store recipes
clothes washer.
(with photos), and smart dishwashers will make suggestions on
■ High Efficiency (HE): HE is used to describe clothes washers
the most efficient cycle for the particular load.
■
that typically use 50 percent less water than traditional units.
Special low-sudsing detergent is used with these models. Though many of the major manufacturers, including Whirlpool,
GE, Bosch and LG Electronics, are starting to offer smart
■ EnergyGuide Label: This yellow label created by the U.S.
■
appliances, expect a greater range of offerings over the next few
Federal Trade Commission is on most home appliances, and
will help you compare the energy use (and cost) of operating years. The expansion of choices should start driving the price of
one appliance relative to another. intelligence down.
■ Induction Cooking: Induction heating elements heat
■
only the pan and its contents, and offer energy efficiency insulation and sound proofing, some dishwashers can be “whisper
by reducing wasted heat when compared to radiant quiet,” creating as little as 41 dB during operation. That is the just
and gas cooktops. The actual induction element stays slightly louder than the hum of your refrigerator.
cool, while the metal pot or pan up rapidly making induction
heating safer and more energy efficient than traditional What to Know
cooking methods. ■ Dishwashers have two EnergyGuide cost labels: one for consumers
■
■ Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE): CEE, a consortium
■ who use electric water heaters and one for natural gas users.
of efficiency program administrators from across the United ■ Boost heaters generally increase the cost of the unit, but the
■
States and Canada, periodically compiles lists of products energy savings can pay for the upgrade in about one year.
that meet the organization’s tiers of efficiency, based on
■ ■ Dishwashers fall into two categories—compact and standard.
manufacturer data. www.cee1.org
■ Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC): HCFC-based refrigerants
■ RANGES AND OVENS
are the most common type of refrigerant Smart Cooking Saves Energy
used in the United States today and are considered significant Refrigerators, dishwashers and laundry units may be considered
contributors to greenhouse gas emissions
and global warming. “major” appliances, but they aren’t the only units you may have
to purchase or replace. Thoughtful selection of ranges, ovens,
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