Tag: home appliance

4 Home Appliance Energy Conservation Tips

Most of us have a number of home appliances that are great time savers, but they can consume a lot of energy, and this drives up your monthly bills. Although it isn’t possible to eliminate the energy consumption completely, it is possible to reduce the amount of energy consumed. In this article, we will look at four common home appliances and how you can save energy using those devices.

  1. The Dishwasher

A dishwasher doesn’t use too much energy, but it will consume a large volume of water on every cycle. The best way to use a dishwasher is to get the most out of each and every cycle. Always ensure that the dishwasher if full and that you don’t use the hottest water temperature. If you switch to an energy efficient model you will use less energy and water when the dishwasher is running.

  1. The Refrigerator

The refrigerator consumes energy 24/7 because it needs to be kept on to keep our food fresh. But, many people keep their refrigerator at a temperature that’s far too cold, and every extra degree consumes more energy than necessary. The acceptable temperature range for a refrigerator should be 32ºF-40ªF to keep your food in great shape. It’s also a great idea to fill your fridge with as much food as you can to reduce the energy consumed. The second law of thermodynamics comes into play here, the less empty space in your refrigerator, the less energy consumed to keep the space cool. If your refrigerator is never full enough, you may consider a switch to a smaller unit to save money on your next energy bill.

  1. The Cooktop or Oven

An electric cooktop and/or oven is a great way to cook your meals, but if you cook at home regularly, they can consume a great deal of energy. This is particularly wasteful if you’re only preparing smaller meals and saving energy should be a priority. If you need to boil water, use the kettle instead, and then transfer the boiled water to the pan. Only ever use as much water as you need to reduce the boiling time and always cover your pans to speed up the cooking process. When you use the oven, keep the door shut as much as possible to retain the heat inside for cooking. If you’re only reheating a small meal, it’s a good idea to use a microwave oven instead because it’s far more energy efficient. Another good alternative to a cooktop is to use an induction hob that can quickly heat your pans to the optimal cooking heat safely.

  1. The Washer

A washer is used heavily in most homes, it uses a great deal of energy and water, but there are ways to reduce the energy used. Wash clothes in cold water and use a water saving washing mode if you have one on your machine. Keep the lint trap clean to make the machine more energy efficient and reduce the chance of a failure. Try to use shorter washing cycles to see if they work well with your clothes and dry naturally when possible. Always wash a full load to make the most use of the energy and water that will be consumed. If you have to do a partial load of laundry, make sure to use the correct setting on your machine. Switching to a modern, efficient washing machine will also save water and consume less energy to keep your clothes clean.

If you’re considering new energy efficient appliances, you can explore your options with our online collection, or our team of home appliance experts can provide further guidance.

How to Prevent “Eaten” Socks in Your Laundry

Many of us have experienced the phenomenon of socks disappearing from our washer or dryer. Research has shown that people lose up to 15 socks each year, adding up to 1264 socks in the average lifetime. While you make joke about a laundry monster eating your socks, there are a number of reasons why your socks may have disappeared, which we’ll explore here along with how to prevent this happening.

Why Your Socks Go Missing

There is no definitive answer to why socks have a tendency to disappear during the wash. There are myriad explanations ranging from them getting trapped behind your washing machine drum to them merely being misplaced. Some of the other common causes of missing socks include your socks being stuck inside your washing machine pump because the machine was overloaded or even that dryer static has caused socks to cling to other clothing, and you don’t notice them. Contrary to the belief of some, your socks are not being sucked into an alternate dimension, and with a little care and attention, you can prevent the problem.

Don’t Overload

The first step to keeping your socks from entering the Twilight Zone is not to overload your washing machine. Overloading not only prevents proper cleaning and increases strain on the machine, but it can also allow smaller items such as socks to be pushed behind the drum or sucked into the pump.

Most washing machines specify a maximum weight capacity, but the easiest way to check if your machine is overloaded is by using one hand. Simply place your hand into the drum and check what space is left. If you can only fit your hand in, your load is full and ready to go, but if you can’t even squeeze your hand in, you’ve overloaded it, and you need to remove some items.

Keep Your Socks in Pairs

The reason socks tend to go missing in the laundry is that they are often the smallest item in the load. You can improve the chances of keeping them safe by keeping your socks in pairs. You can use binder clips or safety pins, but even rolling one sock sleeve over another will work. While this may take more time for your socks to dry, it should prevent them from going astray.

Use a Mesh Bag

Another way to protect your socks and all your smaller items is to use a mesh laundry bag. These bags are designed to allow water and detergent to pass through them while protecting your smaller and more delicate items. Just remember to zip the bag closed before you put it in the machine or you’ll still end up with socks dotted throughout the load.

Check for Missing Socks

Finally, if you do find that a sock has gone missing, don’t just ignore the issue. A sock trapped inside your washing machine or dryer could cause damage at put your home at risk of flooding. If you find you’re missing a sock when your folding your laundry, first check that it isn’t trapped in your dryer lint filter. This is the easiest issue to deal with, as while you may need to clean the lint and rewash the sock, it should just be a matter of opening the lint trap and emptying it as you should before or after each cycle.

If the sock isn’t in the dryer, check if you can see it in the drum. Often you may be able to see a piece of sock sticking out, and you may just be able to tease it out. Another thing to check is the pump overflow of your washing machine. Many models feature a small compartment on the front. This allows access to the pump trap. When you open the door, you’ll see instructions to turn a dial and release any trapped water. You may be surprised to see your rogue sock pop out with a small gush of water.

If your washing machine seems to be struggling to cope with your laundry and you’re considering an upgrade, you can explore your options with this online collection. Or you can speak to a home appliance expert for a more specialized service.

Tips for Front Load Washers

Front load washers can offer some impressive advantages over their top loading counterparts. These advanced home appliances allow fine control over the settings, the ability to handle large loads and smartphone-enabled features. Unfortunately, if you are used to a top loading washer, you may not be aware of how to get the best out of your new appliance. So, here are some tips for your new front load washer.

Leave the Door Open

When your load is complete, you should remove the clothing as soon as possible and then leave the door slightly ajar. This promotes air circulation and can help you to avoid mold or mildew problems. Front load washers are prone to developing unpleasant smells as mold can form around a damp door seal. Leaving the door open will allow the seal to dry out and should help to prevent mold. If you do notice an issue starting to develop, don’t ignore it; this can lead to your clothes developing a musty odor. Periodically cleaning the door seal using some mild detergent will keep it odor free, just be sure to dry it using a paper towel to avoid dampness.

Use the Right Detergent

You may not get the best performance from your new front load washer if you use your old brand of detergent. While this may have been sufficient for your old top loader, front loaders require high-efficiency detergent products. Regular detergents create more suds, and this can leave a film of residue on the drum and hoses, promoting mold. This residue may also cause mechanical or electronic damage to your appliance and could potentially void your warranty. Front load washers use less water and therefore, need less detergent. You should only purchase detergent that is high efficiency or labeled “HE” for optimum results. Remember too much soap is not a good thing, so stick to the recommended amounts.

Run the Cleaning Cycle Regularly

Most manufacturers recommend running a cleaning cycle regularly to prevent any potential issues with mildew or mold. You may find that adding a commercial washer cleaning product can keep your appliance smelling fresh and looking clean, but take note of the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Plan for Ultimate Efficiency

A front load washer tends to have a longer wash cycle compared to a top loader. As this type of machine uses less water, it can take longer to get your load clean. Fortunately, the higher spin speed means shorter drying times. So, plan your laundry accordingly. Some appliances have delay timers, so you can have your load end when it is most convenient for you.

No home is complete without a great laundry appliance. The right washing machine can be a fantastic time saver and protect your clothing from damage.

If you’re looking for a new laundry appliance, you can explore the available options with this online collection of laundry appliances or speak to a home appliance expert for further help.

How To Buy Energy Efficient Home Appliances

Advanced electronics and appliances bring convenience and innovation to your home, helping you enjoy modern life with style. But using all those items can cause your power bill to skyrocket, making a major dent in your bank account. To help save money for years to come, you should definitely consider investing in energy efficient home appliances.

Energy efficient appliances offer all the features your home needs, but use fewer resources to operate. These units efficiently use electricity and water, keeping your monthly utilities low while also reducing your home’s impact on the environment. There are a host of great energy efficient kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, and more, available for your home, but navigating the wide range of options can be difficult. To help you explore your choices, we’ve compiled some helpful tips on how to buy energy efficient home appliances.

Always Look for ENERGY STAR Certification

If you’ve purchased any home appliances over the last 25 years, you’re likely familiar with the ENERGY STAR® program. Established in 1992, ENERGY STAR is the government-backed program that provides certification to consumer products and buildings for meeting energy efficiency standards determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Many brands claim that their appliances are energy efficient, but the only way to be certain is to investigate a product’s ENERGY STAR certification. If an appliance is certified, you can rest assured that it is actually energy efficient, meeting the strict standards established by the EPA. An appliance may offer all sorts of advanced, computerized features, but if it isn’t ENERGY STAR certified, it’s probably not energy efficient.

Determine Your Annual Savings & Energy Use

Energy efficiency is a powerful marketing tool within the appliance industry. As a result, many of today’s most popular appliances are ENERGY STAR certified for efficiency. But it’s important to remember that not all energy efficient appliances are created equal.

To better inform your decision, all ENERGY STAR appliances carry an EnergyGuide label that features the estimated yearly electricity use and yearly operating cost of the appliance. While these numbers can fluctuate based on the utility costs in your area and how often you use the appliance, these estimates can help you easily compare different ENERGY STAR certified appliances. While you can find some EnergyGuide information online, the only sure way to see this information is to visit a home appliance retailer to browse EnergyGuide labels yourself.

Explore Different Energy Efficient Options

The appliance shopping process can be long and challenging, especially if you’ve never bought home appliances before. There are so many different brands, model numbers, and operational features to compare, and an impatient homeowner may fall in love with the first unit they see. But remember, it’s important that you research a variety of options before making your decision.

You don’t want to haphazardly invest in a stylish appliance, only to realize that it isn’t energy efficient. You also don’t want to purchase an energy efficient machine that doesn’t offer all the features you need. There is a huge range of home appliances available on today’s market, and there is no reason you should sacrifice style or features for energy efficiency. If you take the time to research different choices, you’re guaranteed to find the ideal product that meets all your home’s needs.

If you want to begin researching energy efficient units, consider using this online collection of appliances.

Consider Smart Home Integrations

Many of today’s most advanced appliances offer computerized features, Wi-Fi connectivity, and other options that maximize appliance monitoring and control. These “smart home” features can really boost the effectiveness of energy efficient appliances, helping you decrease energy use and reduce utility bills along the way. You should be sure to consider these types of smart, computerized innovations as you research energy efficient appliances.

Exceptional Energy Efficient Appliances For The Home

Home energy use is an important issue tied to both financial and environmental concerns. The best way to reduce your home’s monthly operating costs, while creating an eco-friendly living space, is to invest in energy efficient appliances. Being mindful of ENERGY STAR certification, researching various options, and considering your home’s annual energy use and operating cost goals will ensure you find the perfect energy efficient units for your living spaces.

For a variety of advanced energy efficient products, consider browsing this online assortment of home appliances.