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ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
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Washers & Dryers
The most energy and water efficient clothes washer available today
is the Bosch Nexxt Washer. Bosch has the highest Energy Star rating
for washers, based on their water and energy use and it uses an average
of 13 gallons of water per load (or 2600 gallons per year), and 178
kWh per year. In contrast, an average top-loading US-made washing
machine uses 50 gallons of water per load (or 10000 gallons per year),
and 933 kWh per year. And since the Bosch Nexxt spins at 1200 RPM,
it greatly reduces the energy required to dry the clothes after washing.
Ask our Remodeling Consultants about the Bosch and other energy efficient
washers and dryers.
Dishwashers
Using one of the Energy Star qualified dishwashers—or, in fact,
according to Energy Star’s website, replacing any dishwasher
manufactured before 1994 may save you up to $30 a year in utility
costs. These newer Energy Star qualified dishwashers use at least
41% less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption
and, since they use less water (and less hot water, at that) than
conventional models, you’ll be doing your part to protect America’s
water supplies.
Energy Star Dishwashers Tips:
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Only run the appliance with a full load
since most of the energy used by a dishwasher goes to heat
water. Better to run one full load than two half loads. |
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Consider not using the heat-dry, rinse-hold
and pre-rinse features and instead select the air-dry option. |
Refrigerators
Your home’s refrigerator is the single biggest electricity
abuser in your apartment or home. An Energy Star certified refrigerator
can lower your energy consumption by more than 10%, saving you an
enormous amount in utility bills over the long haul. Newer models
also boast better insulation and more efficient compressors, as well
as more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms.
But there are a few things you should keep in mind before buying
an energy efficient fridge:
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Top freezer models
use 10-25% less energy than the side-by-side models |
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Automatic ice-makers and through-the-door
dispensers, while certainly handy, actually increase the fridge’s
energy consumption by 14-20% and even raise your purchase price
by about $75-250. |
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Refrigerators with anti-sweat heaters
consume 5-10% more energy than those without so buy one that
has an "energy saver" switch that turns off or turns
down the heating coils. |
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The most energy-efficient refrigerators
are 16-20 cubic feet. |
Toilets
If refrigerators are the biggest energy abusers in your home than
toilets are the biggest water hogs. Toilets use on average 30-40%
of the total water in your home so finding a model that uses water
sparingly is a must for anyone interested in creating an efficient
and eco-friendly dwelling. Using a 1.6-gallon low flush toilet can
translate into a savings of 12,000 gallons per year over traditional
circa 1980s models. Dual-flush (0.9 gpf/1.6 gpf) toilets can reduce
water consumption by an additional 30%, which means an enormous savings
for you in the long run.
Showerheads
Like toilets, showerheads are notorious culprits in the war against
water wastage. Installing a low flow showerhead can save you money
not only by reducing the amount of water you use, but also by reducing
the amount of energy you need to heat that water. Many people have
resisted adding a low flow showerhead because they don’t feel
the water pressure is adequate, but newer models like the Methven
SatinJet 2.5 gpm are engineered to enhance natural pressure and so
provide a wonderful alternative. Visit any one of MyHome’s
three showrooms to speak with a Remodeling Consultant about water
efficient and sophisticated showerheads and faucets for your eco-minded
bathroom.
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