We did have one advantage, however. We brought our LG high-efficiency front-load
ingwasher and dryer which we already owned from our apartment. Granted, the dryer was too big for the spot, but a few holes in the wall and cutting out some excess trim solved that. ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers use about 37% less energy and use over 50% less water than regular washers. ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers because most dryers use similar amounts of energy. Our solution, whenever possible? A clothesline. If you come to our house now, you will find a 50' clothesline strung between our trees. Total price (including energy use)? About $6.47 at WalMart.
Before I go on, let me clear up what the ENERGY STAR label means. The label wa
s established by the EPA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy; and make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort. There has been some recent controversy over the effectiveness of the label, but any time you can choose ENERGY STAR over something that isn't you are making a choice for a healthier planet and for lower energy bills. You can find more about the program and a list of all qualifying models here:http://www.energystar.gov/
Thanks t
o Kelly's being at the right place at the right time, we got a brand new Whirlpool microwave that was on clearance AND discounted for a grand total of $190 at Lowe's! Because we had to replace the vent hood from the stove with the microwave, I enlisted the help of my carpenter friend, Scott. He helped me raise the cabinet to the appropriate height to give a specific amount of clearance between the microwave and the stove. ENERGY STAR does not rate microwaves, because basic microwave ovens are almost equally efficient. New models of microwave ovens, however, include features that improve energy efficiency and cooking performance. But get this - WHENEVER YOU CHOOSE TO COOK USING A MICROWAVE, YOU'RE CHOOSING TO SAVE MONEY. Fast and efficient microwave ovens use around 50 percent to 65 percent less energy than conventional ovens. They also have the added benefit of not heating up your kitchen, so they save money on air conditioning in the hot times of the year.
The microwave set the precedent for having black Whirlpool appliances. It's a qualit
y brand and a nice look in our kitchen. So the next replacement was our refrigerator. Refrigerators and freezers consume about a sixth of all electricity in a typical American home - using more electricity than any other single household appliance. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use at least 20% less energy than required by current federal standards and 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001. I'd really like to go on about which types are better than other, and how each feature affects the energy use, but the list would be too long. So if you're in the market for a fridge, go here:http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/refrigerators.html
ingwasher and dryer which we already owned from our apartment. Granted, the dryer was too big for the spot, but a few holes in the wall and cutting out some excess trim solved that. ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers use about 37% less energy and use over 50% less water than regular washers. ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers because most dryers use similar amounts of energy. Our solution, whenever possible? A clothesline. If you come to our house now, you will find a 50' clothesline strung between our trees. Total price (including energy use)? About $6.47 at WalMart.Before I go on, let me clear up what the ENERGY STAR label means. The label wa
s established by the EPA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy; and make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort. There has been some recent controversy over the effectiveness of the label, but any time you can choose ENERGY STAR over something that isn't you are making a choice for a healthier planet and for lower energy bills. You can find more about the program and a list of all qualifying models here:http://www.energystar.gov/Thanks t
o Kelly's being at the right place at the right time, we got a brand new Whirlpool microwave that was on clearance AND discounted for a grand total of $190 at Lowe's! Because we had to replace the vent hood from the stove with the microwave, I enlisted the help of my carpenter friend, Scott. He helped me raise the cabinet to the appropriate height to give a specific amount of clearance between the microwave and the stove. ENERGY STAR does not rate microwaves, because basic microwave ovens are almost equally efficient. New models of microwave ovens, however, include features that improve energy efficiency and cooking performance. But get this - WHENEVER YOU CHOOSE TO COOK USING A MICROWAVE, YOU'RE CHOOSING TO SAVE MONEY. Fast and efficient microwave ovens use around 50 percent to 65 percent less energy than conventional ovens. They also have the added benefit of not heating up your kitchen, so they save money on air conditioning in the hot times of the year.The microwave set the precedent for having black Whirlpool appliances. It's a qualit
y brand and a nice look in our kitchen. So the next replacement was our refrigerator. Refrigerators and freezers consume about a sixth of all electricity in a typical American home - using more electricity than any other single household appliance. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use at least 20% less energy than required by current federal standards and 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001. I'd really like to go on about which types are better than other, and how each feature affects the energy use, but the list would be too long. So if you're in the market for a fridge, go here:http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/refrigerators.html
We ended up with a side-by-side with ice/water dispenser because we've lived with a freezer-on-top before and wanted the extra freezer capacity and the convenience of having filtered water on-demand. Not the most efficient, but now we can make healthier food choices. On sale, it cost us $793 at Sears.
Next, 
the dishwasher. It's commonly assumed that washing dishes by hand saves hot water. However, washing dishes by hand can be more expensive than operating an energy-efficient dishwasher. You can consume less energy with an energy-efficient dishwasher when properly used and when only operating it with full loads. Also, don’t pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers do a superb job of cleaning even heavily soiled dishes. Scrape off food and empty liquids—the dishwasher will do the rest. If you must rinse dishes first, at least use cold water. Our ENERGY STAR Whirlpool Quiet-Partner II from Lowe's cost $297.
The last and most reluctant replacement was our oven/range. There are no ENERGY STAR rated stoves, although gas is always a better choice over electric. I've heard it said that professional chefs prefer to cook on a gas range and an electric oven, due to the evenness of heating. If that is your priority, best of luck to you, because I haven't seen any mixed gas/electric options, although they may exist. For an oven/range the features vary widely and the prices to match. We settled on a black Kenmore from Sears running at $861.
So there you have it! All new matching black appliances in our kitchen with the added benefit of using far less energy than our dinosaur appliances from ages past. There may be an initial cost for all this; which is minimized by shopping sales, bargains, and scratch & dent (like our refrigerator); but the energy savings will pay back every penny in due time.
the dishwasher. It's commonly assumed that washing dishes by hand saves hot water. However, washing dishes by hand can be more expensive than operating an energy-efficient dishwasher. You can consume less energy with an energy-efficient dishwasher when properly used and when only operating it with full loads. Also, don’t pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers do a superb job of cleaning even heavily soiled dishes. Scrape off food and empty liquids—the dishwasher will do the rest. If you must rinse dishes first, at least use cold water. Our ENERGY STAR Whirlpool Quiet-Partner II from Lowe's cost $297.
The last and most reluctant replacement was our oven/range. There are no ENERGY STAR rated stoves, although gas is always a better choice over electric. I've heard it said that professional chefs prefer to cook on a gas range and an electric oven, due to the evenness of heating. If that is your priority, best of luck to you, because I haven't seen any mixed gas/electric options, although they may exist. For an oven/range the features vary widely and the prices to match. We settled on a black Kenmore from Sears running at $861.
So there you have it! All new matching black appliances in our kitchen with the added benefit of using far less energy than our dinosaur appliances from ages past. There may be an initial cost for all this; which is minimized by shopping sales, bargains, and scratch & dent (like our refrigerator); but the energy savings will pay back every penny in due time.
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