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. 

Measurements Matter, Especially with Home and Kitchen Appliances

[tweetmeme source=”plassappliance”]Wait, stop a minute, before you head off to shop for your new appliances, get out your tape measure and take your measurements. Measure your existing appliance and your appliance opening before you run out that door. These measurements are more important than you think and not having them at the appliance store with you, will leave you ill-prepared to make a decision. Here are some key measurements to consider for three free-standing appliances you may have in your home; refrigerators, ranges,  and laundry machines.

Refrigerators: When you’re about to shop for a new refrigerator knowing your allowable height, width, and the depth are very important. Refrigerators are manufactured in many different sizes. From standard depth, to counter-depth, to built-ins knowing the measurements of your existing refrigerator and refrigerator opening will help in selecting your new model. First, measure your width from counter to counter, or counter to wall. For free-standing units, refrigerators most commonly come in standard widths of 30, 33, or 36 inches. For built-ins, refrigerators can vary from 36, to 42, to 48 inches wide. Measure the height from the floor to the tip-top of the unit. If there’s a cabinet above the unit, take the measurement from the bottom of the floor to the bottom of that cabinet. Also, measure from the back wall to the front of the unit. Standard depth units run approximately 33 inches deep, counter depth units approximately 27 inches deep, and built-ins are built-ins, they’re flush with your cabinets, approximately 24 inches deep. Write your measurements down, study them, and do your research. Use these measurements to compare what units are currently available to your space requirements in order to narrow down your selection. This will prepare you better for when the time comes to visit the appliance store so you can select the right refrigerator for your home.