5 Long-Term Savings Tips to lead you into the New Year

[tweetmeme source=”plassappliance”]As we say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012, it is important that we all begin to make a conscious effort to be more energy-efficient and save energy, money, and reduce the risks of global warming. We’ve compiled 5 long-term savings tips for you to add to your New Year’s Resolution list in order to start your year off saving by making smart and more efficient choices.

Improve Refrigeration: Did you know that Refrigerators are the largest users of electricity among household appliances? It’s true, that beautiful stainless steel icebox that looks so sharp in your Kitchen uses more energy than any other appliance in the house. In order to your improve Refrigeration, make sure the energy saver switch is turned on. This switch allows you to adjust the heating coil under the “skin” of the refrigerator (the purpose of the heating coils is to prevent condensation on your refrigerator). Check the seal on door gaskets periodically. Close the door on a dollar bill, if it pulls out easily, you may need a new gasket. Avoid setting refrigerator temperatures colder than necessary. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that refrigerators be set at 37 degrees F and freezers at 3 degrees F. Remember to cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder. Lastly, if you have a manual-defrost unit, regularly defrost the freezer and refrigerator; frost buildup decreases the energy efficiency of the unit.

Save Money & Protect the Environment with Energy Star Appliances

[tweetmeme source=”plassappliance”]Still using that old washing machine that you purchased way back when? I bet you’re happy that you haven’t had to replace it, right? Well did you know that with a new Energy Star clothes washer you could be saving yourself money while protecting the environment? It’s true. Today’s appliances are more energy-efficient and more advanced than ever before. They use less total energy, use less water, and less of an effect on the environment. By making an investment in a new energy star appliance you are making a conscious effort to protect the environment as well as put more money back in your pocket. Here are some appliance models that make for great upgrades to a new energy star appliance.

Clothes Washers: Did you know that the average family washes over 400 loads of laundry a year? That’s a lot of laundry! Think about the amount of energy and the amount of water being used with each load and each wash. It adds up. By purchasing a new Energy Star clothes washer you can cut those energy cost by a third and your water costs by more than a half. That’s because Energy Star qualified clothes washers use about 30% less energy and over 50% less water than regular clothes washers. If your washer is over 10 years old, replace it with a new Energy Star qualified washer and you can save up to $135 a year.

Dishwashers: How old is your dishwasher? 5, 10, 15 years old? Hopefully you’re not using a dishwasher over 15 years old. If so, you’re paying an additional $40 a year on your utility bills compared to owning a new Energy Star qualified model. A dishwasher built before 1994 wastes more than 10 gallons of water per cycle. If you were to replace your old dishwasher with a new Energy Star qualified model, you’d save enough water each week to wash 3 loads of laundry in your new Energy Efficient front load clothes washer. Don’t wash away your savings with an old dishwasher, upgrade to a new Energy Star model, save on your utility bills and reduce your water consumption to help protect our lakes, streams, and oceans. 

4 Healthy Home & Green Resources

[tweetmeme source=”plassappliance”]Today being green, living healthy, and making the right decisions for your home and family are more important than ever. Becoming a more conscious green consumer can have a great impact on your life, the environment, and the world around you. Here are 4 Healthy Home & Green Resources for you to check out and follow that provide informative articles, energy-saving tips, and green recommendations.

Green Guide – For Everyday Living: The Green Guide from National Geographic is an excellent green home resource for every room in your house. From the kitchen, to the bathroom, to the laundry room the Green Guide offers helpful tips, recommendations, and guides of how to make a your home green. You’ll find the Appliance Buying Guides helpful as they provide insight into the best way to save money on energy costs and cut down on the energy use of your home appliances.

Save Energy, Save Money, Save Big on Sept. 24th!

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Haven’t you heard the word? The Illinois Energy Star Rebate Program is back! This Friday, September 24th, at 8 am you will have your chance once again to Save Big on a New Energy Star Appliances for your home.

How exactly does this work you ask? Currently there is $3 million in federal funding available to support this final installment of the Energy Star Rebate Program. All customers and consumers that are going to replace an existing appliance with a New Energy Star Qualified Appliance qualify for this promotion. On the day of the Sale, customers will receive a 15% instant discount, up to $250 per appliance, per category (refrigerator, dishwasher, freezer, washer). The discount is limited to 1 piece per household per category. The rebates are first come, first serve. They are not available online, there is no pre-selling, and will only be available at the point of sale. Also, each customer must sign a copy of the program Terms and Conditions before receiving their rebate. This signature indicates that he or she accepts these Terms & Conditions and certifies this appliance purchase replaces an existing appliance, which will be properly hauled away.