As home-appliance technology continues to move toward the energy-efficient (and brightly colored), more and more consumers are looking to replace their old appliances. But is it really an upgrade?
No, says Jeanine Van Voorhees, who spent $1,000 on a new energy-saving washer only to find that it coughs up dingy, cat-hair-covered clothes. "I curse that machine every time," she says, and she often washes her loads twice. (I'm no expert, but that doesn't sound energy efficient to me.)
According to this Wall Street Journal article, Van Voorhees isn't alone, either.
Many conscientious consumers are reporting that their energy-efficient appliances aren't living up to the marketing hype. Complaints range from mold and mildew to spotty glassware to water bills that are still high, even with "water-saving" technology.
The article goes on to point out that some of these problems could in part be due to, ahem, user error:
[M]any consumers don't know they need to use high-efficiency soap or half the amount of regular detergent with front-loading clothes-washers.
...
[C]onsumers [are urged] to take preventive steps [to avoid drainage problems and mold], such as cleaning the drum and door seal periodically or leaving the door open when the washer isn't in use.
...
Owners also shouldn't rinse their dishes before putting them in a water-efficient dishwasher. That is because most of the new products are equipped to handle bits of food and rinsing dishes beforehand can negate the water-savings.
So, buyer be aware, I guess.
And if you are looking to make any major appliance purchases, green builders and energy-saving advocates have this to say:
[F]ocus first on refrigerators, because unlike a dishwasher or clothes washer, they run all the time. Air conditioning units, too, tend to be big energy hogs. Cooling accounts for 11 percent of total energy use in the average home, and refrigerators and freezers account for 8 percent, according to government data compiled by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit group in Washington, D.C. The energy used doing laundry and dishes combined accounts for just 5 percent, according to the council.
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Comments
View as Flat
odograph Posted 1:06 am
07 Aug 2007
I ended up with a $1K front-load combo (both washer and dryer), that so far is working out well.
It looks to me like there is a middle ground on appliances (refrigerators too) where for a little extra cost you can get efficiency, while staying below the real luxury ('look at me') machines.
I notice that the washer pictured above has that beautiful paint job. That's a feature that goes with the luxury line, for instance. My combo is plain white.
Oh, did you notice that Trader Joe's detergent says in fine print that it's suitable for front-loaders? Works for me (though I'm also working through the year of free detergent that came with my set).
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Delay And Deny Posted 1:24 am
07 Aug 2007
The problem isn't "energy efficient dishwashers".
It's people who can spend 1K on a dryer.
Get rid of them...get rid of the problem.
John Bailo
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Delay And Deny Posted 1:52 am
07 Aug 2007
Think it's on virtual when you shoot 'em up in rainbow six? You're also frying the planet:
Cool electronic gear may be emitting too much heat
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-heat4aug04,1,5150 ...
"Microsoft won't say how many are failing or what causes the "red rings of death" that signify a system crash. But design consultants and electronics repairmen say the powerful console's wide temperature swings -- from the supercharged heat of game play to overnight cool -- is causing the solder to crack, fracturing the tiny electrical connections that allow energy to flow between the circuits. Eventually, one or more of the 1,700 components or 500 million transistors overheat and fail.
The desire for more powerful home electronics gear is fueling the rise of heat-spewing gadgets.
The Xbox 360 consumes three times the power that its predecessor does, while Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 console guzzles eight times as much energy as the PS2, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group.
A top-of-the-line cable television box that displays and records high-definition video can consume more energy in a year than a microwave oven or standard 32-inch TV."
John Bailo
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odograph Posted 2:43 am
07 Aug 2007
Real life with the Zonbu Mini-PC
from that:
How much power did the Zonbu consume?
I confirmed that I had rolled exactly 5h 0m on the Kill-a-watt time counter, and I looked at the total KWH used. As you might have guessed, since the box runs ~10W, it used a paltry 0.05 KWH of power over the last five wall-clock hours.
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Ron Steenblik Posted 3:09 am
07 Aug 2007
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mrsmlgn Posted 4:26 am
07 Aug 2007
MrsMlgn
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Gar Lipow Posted 5:14 am
07 Aug 2007
>So people who can afford an efficient clothes washer are a problem? How is that?
John Bailo is a troll - as shown by his constant posting of contentious statements without backing either evidence or even logical support for them - just pure assertion. Ignore him. He is looking for attention.
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ac5p Posted 5:27 am
07 Aug 2007
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PermieWriter Posted 5:52 am
07 Aug 2007
Eat what you grow, grow what you eat
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odograph Posted 6:28 am
07 Aug 2007
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GreenEngineer Posted 6:56 am
07 Aug 2007
I know that the Neptune line of washers had problems, to the point that there as a class-action suit against the company, but I think those issues were maintenance-related, not performance related.
If someone can't get good performance from a front-loading washer, I'd chalk it up to PBKAS (Problem Between Keyboard And Seat).
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JMG Posted 7:57 am
07 Aug 2007
My bottom freezer machine is pretty darn big and uses only 515 wKh per year -- not trivial for sure, but much less than the big side-by-side hogs, and it is a pleasure to use.
I would guess that, for many people who try to store fresh local produce in their fridge, the advantage clearly goes to a bottom freezer model that puts the produce where you can see it and grab it quickly.
Save the world: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% annually.
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odograph Posted 8:13 am
07 Aug 2007
While we'd be better off if the nation in general used 515 kWh / yr ... I think 432 kicks all over that.
(I think mine is a 21+ cu ft at around 445 kWh / yr. I know that I've got a 6 cu ft freezer, and a $14.50/month electric bill.)
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wayneluke Posted 9:34 am
07 Aug 2007
Every year in Southern California, they run a series of news stories when the gasoline prices go up. They all say the same thing, only the price is different. They say when gas prices reach XX amount, people will take to public transportation. It doesn't happen. When they started running the stories, the price was $2.00 a gallon. Now its up to $4.00 per gallon being the breaking point. However it won't happen because public transportation in Southern California is terrible and it is terribly inconvenient. No one wants 3-4 hour commutes and 15 hour days.
It can be applied to everything. Appliances, cars, lightbulbs. People won't get smaller refrigerators because its inconvenient. They won't get smaller cars because its inconvenient. And so forth. Though I expect Hybrid sales to take off next year when GM introduces its hybrid SUVs. Not small SUVs but the Tahoe, Escalade and probably even the Hummer. The hybrid drive will allow them to get 20 miles to the gallon instead of 12. Even Paris Hilton wants one of these new hybrids. Surprised Grist didn't pick up on that.
It isn't the appliances fault. It is the user and always trying to get something for as little as possible. 60 years of spending and disposable breeding isn't going to disappear overnight. There is a lot of work ahead.
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odograph Posted 9:55 am
07 Aug 2007
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hover2gb Posted 4:05 am
01 Oct 2007
That is the way to save energy. Just do good research and then buy the item that best meets your needs. There will always be a certain washing machine or whatever that totally sucks, but there are many, many energy efficient appliances, electronics, etc. that are wonderful and save a ton of money and energy.
I have just relaced all of the lights in my house with CFLs & replaced my old refrigerator with a new Kenmore 18.2 cu.ft. that only uses 402 kWh/year!!! I've reduced my electric bill by 25%!!!
If you're looking for new, energy efficient appliances, there's a small site that gives a bunch of data to help you make a decision. The pages can load slowly, but it's really helped me, so it was worth the wait...
http://www.MoreEnergySavings.com
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MAD MAC Posted 7:25 pm
04 Oct 2008
Victory in Pattani
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Tasermons Partner Posted 3:07 am
05 Oct 2008
Or if every home simply produced it's own energy.
Solar panels, small scale wind and hydro, geothermal, methane digesters...there are a number of ways.
Do a cost analysis and find out which is cheaper...to replace all your appliances with new efficient models or to power your entire house off-grid using renewables.
Factor in the cost of the product, installaion, and overall energy savings.
I've heard more than a few people say they actually come out even, and that after several years, the savings from off-grid power far exceed that of a total appliance replacement or home renovation.
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MAD MAC Posted 3:36 am
05 Oct 2008
Victory in Pattani
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