Page 50 - Green Builder Homeowner's Handbook 2016

The Homeowner’s Handbook SEVENTH EDITION

Appliances09
Technology you can trust.

Proper sizing and use Don’t overlook
can make these labor-saving the familiar yellow
machines more EnergyGuide sticker.
energy efficient. It holds a host of
information that can help
HOME APPLIANCES SAVE time, make our homes more you find the most efficient
comfortable, and increase our quality of life. However, appliances available.
there is more to choosing an appliance than simply
selecting the finish, features and price. vegetables, for instance, require higher levels of humidity and a
Finding a washer, dryer or refrigerator that gets the constant circulation of air to retain their freshness, color, flavor and
job done while using less energy and water has become much easier, vitamins. Meats, on the other hand, should be kept in drier, more
thanks to programs such as Energy Star and the EnergyGuide label. air-tight compartments. While this technology can help you preserve
These labels help you select an appliance that performs well, yet your food, it does come at a higher price.
conserves natural resources.
What to Know
REFRIGERATORS ¦¦ If you have a refrigerator that’s more than 15 years old, replace it!
The Big Energy Hogs ¦¦ Energy Star–rated refrigerators can save you hundreds of dollars

Of all the appliances in the home, the refrigerator can be the most over the life of the appliance.
wasteful of electricity. Unlike other appliances that you can turn ¦¦ Size matters: One big refrigerator in the kitchen is better than
off, the refrigerator is always on. Fortunately, modern refrigerators
are more than 75 percent more energy efficient than ones built two small ones (i.e., one in the kitchen, one in the garage).
just 15 years ago.
DISHWASHERS
Upgrading your 1970s-era fridge to a modern Energy Star option Quiet and Efficient
can save you over $200 annually in energy bills. Rebates from Energy savings and water savings are closely linked; the more hot
local utility companies, manufacturers, federal, state and local water you use in your appliances, the higher your energy bills.
governments are often available. Visit www.dsireusa.org to see Dishwashers produced before 1994 typically use 10 gallons per load
what’s available in your area. more water than modern units. Considering that the average home
washes over 300 loads per year, reducing the amount of water used
Besides saving energy, some manufacturers are producing
refrigerators that simply do a better job of storing food. Smart
refrigerators are able to moderate the humidity of different bins
within the unit, which reduces food spoilage and waste. Fruit and

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Miele Generation 6000 Dishwashers Whirlpool Compact
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Miele’s line of Generation 6000 dishwashers combine
features that are not mutually exclusive concepts: low At 18” wide, this compact and sleek stainless
consumption, cleaning performance and gentle care steel dishwasher fits into tight spaces where
of dishware. The dishwashers offer several automatic programs that require other dishwashers cannot. Sound-reducing
as little as 3.2 gallons of water for up to 16 place settings. Miele dishwashers insulation keeps this Energy Star-qualified
achieve extremely low consumption rates through the combination of an unit quiet during operation.
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arms. In addition, the dishwashers achieve performance values of 0.73 kWh
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place setting to 0.045 kWh. www.mieleusa.com

48 GREEN BUILDER The Homeowner’s Handbook 2016