Gibson HomeBuilders

Today topic is Appliances.
My guest’s today are Al Bowen, Senior Contract Account Manager for the Whirlpool Corporation and Jean Gibson, Vice President of Gibson Home Builders, Inc.

Household Appliances

If you live in a typical U.S. home, the appliances in your home are responsible for about 20% of your energy bills. Refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dryers, dishwashers, and ranges and ovens are the primary energy-using appliances in most households. Taking steps to save energy while using these appliances, and replacing old inefficient appliances with modern ones, can save you money.
In the United States, all refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, and dishwashers are sold with yellow Energy Guide labels to indicate their energy efficiency. These labels provide an estimated annual operating cost for the appliance, and also indicate the cost of operating the models with the highest annual operating cost and the lowest annual operating cost. By comparing a model's annual operating cost with the operating cost of the most efficient model, you can compare their efficiencies.
Another label to help you identify energy-efficient appliances is the Energy Star Label. Promoted by DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the ENERGY STAR is only awarded to appliances that significantly exceed the minimum national efficiency standards.

What is an Energy Star® Appliance?
The Energy Star® may be found on clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and room air conditioners. An appliance receives the Energy Star® rating if it is significantly more energy efficient than the minimum government standards, as determined by standard testing procedures. The amount by which an appliance must exceed the minimum standards is different for each product rated, and depends on available technology. Energy Star® rated products are always among the most efficient available today.
Energy Star® clothes washer
Energy Star® clothes washers use superior designs that require less water to get clothes thoroughly clean. These machines use sensors to match the hot water needs to the load, preventing energy waste.
There are two designs: top-loading and front-loading.
Both designs will get clothes cleaner and take better care of your fabrics, while using less water and energy than standard washing machines.
Front-loading Energy Star® models are similar in design to washers used in Laundromats. These horizontal-axis or tumble-action machines repeatedly lift and drop clothes, instead of moving clothes around a central axis.
Top-loading Energy Star® washers use sensor technology to closely control the incoming water temperature. To reduce water consumption, they spray clothes with repeated high-pressure rinses to remove soap residues rather than soaking them in a full tub of rinse water.
What does this mean to you?
1) Nearly 50 percent less water and 30% to 40% less energy used per load.
2) Washer design causes less wear and tear on clothes.
3) Bulky items such as blankets fit easily in the super capacity basket.
4) Better water extraction means less dryer time, for further energy savings.
A typical household does nearly 400 loads of laundry per year, using about 40 gallons of water per full load with a conventional washer. In contrast, a full-size Energy Star® clothes washer uses 20 to 25 gallons per load. You could save as much as 7,000 gallons of water per year. And, you are saving all the energy that would have been needed to heat that water. This adds up to savings for you and a big boost for the environment.
How do I choose the right washer?
Energy Star® clothes washers come in a range of capacities from about 1.6 cubic feet up to 3.5 cubic feet. A typical large-capacity washer, such as found in most households, is about 2.7 cubic feet.
Because washers are most efficient when they are fully loaded, you should choose a size that most closely matches your laundry needs. For a family that does a lot of laundry, one of the larger models probably makes the most sense. For an individual or couple who do less laundry, a small model will be the most economical.
Some Energy Star® models can be stacked or mounted under a countertop. This is a useful feature for people short on space, such as in an apartment dwelling. Check with the manufacturer to see which models are available in this configuration.
Energy Star® refrigerators
The refrigerator is the single biggest power consumer in most households. A typical refrigerator made around 1990 uses over 900 kilowatt hours per year—that’s the same amount of energy you would use by leaving a 1,250 watt hair dryer on for a month! And the older your refrigerator is, the more power it burns. Energy Star® refrigerators incorporate a number of advanced features to save energy while keeping your food fresh. To make a better refrigerator, manufacturers use:
1). Better insulation
2). More efficient compressors
3). Improved heat transfer surfaces
4). More precise temperature and defrost mechanisms

With improved insulation, the compressor needs to run less often. Since the compressor runs less often and therefore produces less heat while it is running, the kitchen remains cooler. This in turn reduces the need to air condition as much to maintain the same comfort level. Energy Star® refrigerators must exceed minimum federal standards for energy consumption by at least 20%.
Manual defrost refrigerators are not covered under the Energy Star® program, but are generally more efficient than automatic defrost refrigerators. Proper maintenance of manual defrost refrigerators is necessary to realize the energy savings. The Department of Energy offers tips on buying refrigerators and lowering the energy usage of your refrigerator.
Energy Star® dishwashers
Energy Star® dishwashers save by using both improved technology for the primary wash cycle, and by using less hot water to clean. Construction includes energy efficient motors, and other advanced technology such as sensors that determine the length of the washing cycle and the temperature of the water necessary to clean the dishes.
A significant savings can be realized by minimizing the amount of hot water needed. Dishwashers use built-in electric heaters to heat water to a temperature hot enough to clean the dishes effectively. Energy Star® dishwashers minimize the amount of water needed, saving the energy required to heat it in addition to other efficiencies. Energy Star® dishwashers must exceed minimum federal standards by at least 13%.
Energy Star® room air conditioners
Energy Star® room air conditioners feature high-efficiency compressors, fan motors, and heat transfer surfaces.
In an air conditioner, the air is cooled when it passes over the refrigerant coils, which have fins, similar to an automobile radiator. The compressor sends the cooled refrigerant through the coils, and cools the air as it is forced over the coils. By using advanced heat transfer technologies, more of the heat from the air is transferred into the coils than in conventional models, saving energy required to compress the refrigerant.
It is important to buy an air conditioner that is the correct size for the room. Air conditioners remove heat and humidity from the air. Humidity is removed when the air in a room passes over the cooling coils of an air conditioner. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room quickly, but only remove a portion of the humidity. This leaves the room with a damp, clammy feeling to the air, since the air will not have been circulated enough. A properly sized unit will remove humidity effectively as it cools. Running a smaller unit for a longer time will use less energy to completely condition a room than running a larger unit for a shorter time.
What about other types of appliances?
The Energy Star does not currently cover other appliance types® program, however, it is always important to consider energy efficiency when purchasing any appliance. The Department of Energy offers guidelines and tips on purchasing Clothing Dryers, Ovens and Ranges, and Water Heaters.
Also, be sure to read the Federal Trade Commission’s publication “How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Home Appliance” for general information about shopping for an efficient appliance.
Where can I get appliances?
Energy Star® appliances are carried by retailers nationwide. To see a list of all qualified products or to find specific models that qualify for the Energy Star® rating, go to the Energy Star® website.

How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Home Appliance
Produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy
You go shopping for a new refrigerator, and you're on a budget. The best buy is the 'fridge with the lowest sales price, right? Not necessarily. If you buy the lowest-priced refrigerator, you may end up spending more than if you buy a more expensive one. The reason? The cost of owning a home appliance has three components: the initial purchase price, the cost of repairs and maintenance, and the cost to operate it.
To figure out how much you'll spend over the lifetime of the appliance, you have to look at all these costs. The appliance with the lowest initial purchase price, or even the one with the best repair record, isn't necessarily the one that costs the least to operate. Here's an example of how an appliance's energy consumption can affect your out-of-pocket costs.
Suppose you're in the market for a new refrigerator-freezer. Different models of refrigerators with the same capacity can vary dramatically in the amount of electricity they use. For one popular size and configuration, for example, the annual electricity consumption varies across models from a low of about 600 kilowatt-hours a year to a high of more than 800 kilowatt-hours a year. Based on national average electricity prices, that mean the annual cost to operate this refrigerator can range from about $50 to $70, depending on which model you buy. A $20 difference in annual operating costs might not sound like much, but remember that you will enjoy these savings year after year for the life of the appliance, while you must pay any difference in purchase price only once. As a result, you may actually save money by buying the more expensive, more energy-efficient model.
You can learn about the energy efficiency of an appliance that you're thinking about buying through the yellow-and-black Energy Guide label it displays. The Federal Trade Commission's Appliance Labeling Rule requires appliance manufacturers to put these labels on:
1) Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers
2) Water heaters, furnaces, boilers
3) Central air conditioners, room air conditioners, heat pumps
4) Pool heaters
When you shop for one of these appliances in a dealer's showroom, you should find the labels hanging on the inside of an appliance or secured to the outside. The law requires that the labels specify:
1). The capacity of the particular model
2). For refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and water heaters, the estimated annual energy consumption of the model
3). For air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and pool heaters, the energy efficiency rating
4). The range of estimated annual energy consumption, or energy efficiency ratings, of comparable appliances.
Some appliances also may feature the Energy Star logo, which means that the appliance is significantly more energy efficient than the average comparable model. For more information on the Energy Star program, operated by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, visit the Energy Star website at www.energystar.gov.
For An Energy-Smart Deal On Your Next Appliance...
Read the Energy Guide label.
Compare the energy use of competing models.
Estimate their differences in energy costs.
Consider both purchase price and estimated energy use when deciding which brand and model to buy.
Why should I care about energy efficiency?
The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run, and the lower your utility bills. Using less energy is good for the environment, too; it can reduce air pollution and help conserve natural resources.
Don't all appliances have to be energy efficient?
All major home appliances must meet energy conservation standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy. It's the law. But many appliances beat the standard, use even less energy and cost less to run.
What makes one appliance more efficient than another?
Most of the differences are on the inside -- in the motors, compressors, pumps, valves, gaskets and seals, or in electronic sensors that make appliances "smarter." Even if two models look the same from the outside, less-obvious inside features can mean a big difference in your monthly utility bills.
How can I be sure energy efficiency claims aren't just sales hype?
Manufacturers must use standard test procedures developed by the Department of Energy to prove the energy use and efficiency of their products. Many have these tests performed by independent laboratories. The test results are printed on the Energy Guide labels, which manufacturers are required to put on many of their appliances.
What's the purpose of Energy Guide labels?
The Energy Guide labels help you compare the efficiency or annual energy use of competing brands and similar models. Look for the labels on clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerator/freezers, room air conditioners, water heaters, pool heaters and on central home heating and cooling equipment. If you don't see an Energy Guide label, ask a salesperson for the information.
Shopping Strategy
1). Select the size and style. Measure the space the appliance will occupy to be sure your new purchase will fit. Make sure that you'll have enough room to open the door or lid fully and enough clearance for ventilation. This may help you narrow your choices as you settle on the best capacity and style.

2). Know where to shop. Appliance outlets, electronics stores and local retailers carry different brands and models. Dealers also sell appliances through print catalogs and the Internet.

3). Compare the performance of different brands and models. Ask to see the manufacturer's product literature. Decide which features are important to you. Ask questions about how the different models operate: Are they noisy? What safety features do they have? What about repair histories? How much water do they use? How energy efficient is the product?

4). Estimate how much the appliance will cost to operate. The more energy an appliance uses, the more it will cost to run. Consult the Energy Guide label to compare the energy use of different models. The difference on your monthly utility bill can be significant, especially when considered over the 10-to-20-year life of the appliance. You could save money over the long run by choosing a model that's more energy efficient, even if the purchase price is higher.

5). Ask about special energy efficiency offers. Ask your salesperson or local utility about cash rebates, low-interest loans or other incentive programs in your area for energy-efficient product purchases -- and how you can qualify.

Tips to Lower Your Monthly Energy Bill
Being an energy-smart consumer means getting the most from the energy you use. Here's how you can cut energy waste without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
1). Move your refrigerator if it's near the stove, dishwasher or heat vents. Vacuum the coils every three months to eliminate dirt buildup that reduces efficiency. Check the door gaskets for air leaks. Defrost the freezer when more than a quarter-inch of ice builds up.
2). Scrape but don't pre-rinse dishes by hand if you have a dishwasher that automatically pre-rinses or has a rinse/hold cycle. Use the "energy saver" option found on many machines.
3). Use pots that fit the size of your stovetop burners. Use lids on your pots and pans so you can cook at a lower burner setting.
4). Match the water level and temperature settings on your clothes washer to the size of your load. Don't fill the whole tub for a few small items.
5). Clean your clothes dryer filters after each use or as necessary.
Ensure that the temperature on your water heater is set to 120 degrees. Some thermostats are preset at the factory to 140 degrees.