Go Green: Home Appliances

Energy efficient appliances are quickly becoming more important in households around the country. There are two main costs to consider when considering making the switch from old, energy-sucking appliances to the green, energy efficient appliances.

1. The initial purchasing cost of your appliance.

2. The costs to operate and maintain it each month.

As appliances age they tend to require more water and more energy than they necessarily should. A product with EnergyGuide results in the top 25% are awarded the EnergyStar label. Appliances with the EnergyStar label may have a higher initial cost, but the investment will pay for itself within the first few years with lower energy bills. Many areas offer rebates to reward those individuals who invest in energy efficient appliances. More environmentally friendly appliance brands are surfacing as people realize how much energy their appliances really consume. Not to mention how much electricity and water is wasted by inefficient products.

Green appliances do more than just save energy and cut down utility costs, they are also sustainable and ethically manufactured. This means cutting back on the toxic chemicals that are used in production by incorporating more recycled materials that won’t contaminate soil and water with proper disposal. Though no appliance is truly green, many manufacturers are making promising steps in manufacturing more environmentally sustainable, energy efficient household appliances. Here are a few examples.

Whirlpool Refrigerators

A good place to start saving energy in appliances is the refrigerator. Whirlpool has recently introduced the Resource Saver refrigerator as the most energy efficient dual refrigerator-freezer available. This refrigerator is supposed to be 30% more efficient than EPA standards require to get an Energy Star rating. Among the efficiency features of the refrigerator are sensors to keep food cooler more efficiently and a larger freezer area. And according to Whirlpool, this is all powered with the energy equivalent of a 60-watt light bulb.

Asko Dishwashers

These dishwashers are designed to use less water and electricity while better cleaning dishes than other units. The Asko dishwashers are tall tank units that comes in a range of colors and styles and feature the Energy Star efficiency rating. They are also quieter than other dishwashers.

Niagara Stealth Toilets

With a name like the Stealth toilet, you can surely expect something cool. This toilet boasts one of the lowest gallons per flush, at 0.8 gallons. This is accomplished using a dual-trap system that incorporates an air transfer valve to pressure the trap, so less water is used in the system as a whole. This pressurized air replaces water in the trap as the tank fills, making the Stealth Toilet one of the most efficient and stealthy looking toilets on the market.

For all of your plumbing questions and needs contact Shamrock Plumbing at 801-505-9505! We’re the contractor you can trust!