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The Truth about Energy Star Ratings

May20
2010
1 Comment Written by Alicia

You may have heard about the recent investigation conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Energy Star rated appliances, which found that the Energy Star program is vulnerable to fraud and abuse.

This Energy Star program began in 1992, managed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Appliances with Energy Star ratings are said to use less energy and release less pollutants. Because government tax credits are available for consumers who purchase Energy Star products, $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is expected to be used for this purpose.

To test the reliability of the Energy Star rating, GAO submitted 20 fictitious products with energy-saving claims. Of these 20 products, 15 were accepted by the Energy Star program, proving that the program is vulnerable to fraud and abuse. The program does not verify energy-saving data submitted by manufacturers, which means manufacturers are basically self-certificating their products. To read the entire report from GAO, click here.

What does this mean for consumers like you who are trying to make your home more energy efficient? It means that you should still strive to purchase products with Energy Star ratings. Though the program might have certified products that aren’t truly energy efficient in the past, the program agreed to strengthen the program with a more rigorous screening process. To read how EPA and DOE plan to make the program more efficient in the future, click here.

This investigation is wholly positive for consumers like you, because from now on, you can rest assured that a close eye will be kept on items that pass with an Energy Star rating. The program will be stronger than ever, as will the energy efficiency levels of the products. If you still have a hard time trusting the program, research a product before you purchase it to find out the average energy usage that it uses per year. Don’t give up on saving energy and receiving tax credits for doing so!

Image Credit: TreeHugger.com

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged eco-friendly tips, energy star, Green Living, kitchen
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Extra Uses for Appliances

Apr22
2010
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

These days, when you visit the appliance department at your local store, there is an appliance for almost everything you could ever imagine. You can purchase a blender, a smoothie maker, a juice maker, a milkshake maker and a margarita maker, but why? Can’t the blender alone create smoothies, juice, milkshakes and margaritas? This is just one example of how to use one appliance to multitask.

Although appliances are marketed to make you feel like you need each one, the truth is most of our appliances can be used in more than one way. By doing so, you will save energy, money and space on your counters, in your closets and all over your house!

Here are three examples of extra uses for a common appliance:

  1. Wet-dry vacuums are a popular appliance these days, with their immediate multiuse feature being that they can pick up liquids and solids. However, they can do a lot more than just that. You can use your wet-dry vacuum to unclog drains by plugging the hose into the port that blows out air, sticking the hose down into the drain and turning on the switch. Or, plug the hose into the port that sucks air in, stick the hose down a drain and retrieve items that you may have lost in the drain, such as jewelry. You can also clean out your fireplace, clean up overflowing toilets or basement flooding, or remove snow or rain from your walkways!
  2. Not only can your microwave now cook practically everything your oven can, plus more, but also the microwave has numerous other uses that have nothing to do with cooking food! Disinfect dish rags and sponges by soaking them in vinegar or lemon juice and then heating them in the microwave for one minute. This also works to disinfect cutting boards. For baking, you can soften brown sugar by adding a few drops of water to the plastic bag and then microwaving it for 10 to 20 seconds, and you can bring solidified honey back to its liquid form by microwaving the uncovered container for 30 seconds to a minute.
  3. Drying your hair is one of many uses for your hair dryer. You can also use it to find out if any of your windows or doors are leaking heat by having one person stand outside with the hair dryer, blowing it along the window or door edges, and have another person stand inside with a candle. If the flame flickers or blows out, you might need caulking. You can remove a bandage or piece of tape easier by blowing heat on it first to soften the adhesive, you can remove crayon from wallpaper, and you can remove wrinkles from plastic tablecloths or shower curtains with the warm, blowing air.

These were just three examples of ways to use your appliances in new ways. By thinking creatively, you will save energy, money and space! Little steps like these create greener, more energy-efficient living.

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged eco-friendly, Green Living, green tips
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Choosing New Appliances

Jun18
2008
3 Comments Written by Carrie

Black StoveWhether you are buying a bike, a car or a house, never assume that the more expensive the product, the better the buy. Just because something costs more doesn’t mean it is the absolute best product out there!

The same goes for appliances. Many people believe that the more expensive brands look the best in their kitchen and work most effectively. However, every appliance boasts different needs and requirements, and not all of the expensive brands may suit your lifestyle.

Are you considering new kitchen appliances? After taking a look at this recent Buy Owner article, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. Aside from affordability, what else do you need to consider?

  • Space: If your kitchen is fairly small in size, you may need to purchase smaller appliances. If the laundry room boasts mostly cabinet space, you may need to look for a stackable washer and dryer. Always measure the rooms before you even start your search!
  • Style: White appliances are a basic standard. However, stainless steel is a decorating a favorite. Some refrigerators even come with chalkboard doors or wood paneling that will complement cabinetry or flooring.
  • Design: For example, in regards to refrigerators, you could get a side-by-side, a freezer-on-top or a freezer-on-bottom. Each major brand features a specific look, as well. Once you know the size you need and the style that would best suit your decorating taste, it’s time to pick a design. It should not only be aesthetically pleasing to your eye, but it should suit your lifestyle. If you do not eat frozen food that often, the freezer-on-bottom refrigerator may be for you! If you tend to cook with both frozen food and fresh fruits/vegetables, then the side-by-side fridge may be your best bet.
  • Usage: Some high-end appliances showcase new digital features that might not be that easy to operate. Some of the luxury washers and dryers boast LCD touch screens that may seem confusing, even after you have read the manual. If you are not all too up-to-date on your technology, a simple, basic appliance is the one for you.
  • Maintenance: Appliances that rely heavily on electronic components will most likely have a higher repair cost than more simple models.

Amana, Kenmore, Kitchen Aid, Whirlpool, General Electric… the list goes on and on! Forget the brand names! Just follow this list of helpful tips, and you will find the most efficient and stylish appliances that suit your every want and need.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged adding value, adding value to your home, Home Improvement, home improvements, home renovations, kitchen, making your home better, new appliances, remodeling the kitchen
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Buying a Refrigerator

Mar06
2008
2 Comments Written by Alexis

For many homeowners, the refrigerator is the first big purchase for their kitchens. It’s one of the most important appliances in a kitchen, and today, this basic necessity is loaded with options.

If it’s come time for you to make this big purchase, make sure you have all the information you need so you can make the best choice for you. Did you know, for example, that a refrigerator can last more than 15 years? It’s true. So the fridge you want now needs to be the fridge that can accommodate your needs then.

Here the important factors to consider when you buy:

1. Kitchen Size: Probably the most helpful determining factor is size, and it narrows down the appliances you should consider. How much space do you have in your kitchen—is there a set cut-out for the fridge or do you have a little flexibility? Think not just about height, width and depth of your fridge; measure its size when opened and picture that in your space. Will you be able to get things out easily?

2. Personal Needs: After you know what you can fit in your kitchen, think about how much space you need for storage. Two people will usually need between 8 and 10 cubic feet of space, and you’d want to add an extra cubic foot for each additional person in the household. When in doubt, buy the bigger size: it’s much easier to have too much space than too little, which will force you to waste time squeezing groceries inside. If it will be hard to fit the right size fridge in your kitchen, you could also consider an extra refrigerator or cooler for the garage or basement.

3. Types of Models: Today’s refrigerators are all about options: side-by-side, top-bottom, different colors, ice/water dispensers. Often, the fridge will have adjustable shelves to accommodate a variety of food sizes. Ultimately, which of these things you should choose is completely dependent on you. Take the time to determine what you want and what works best in your space.

4. Accessories: Just for your reference, here are a list of additional options you could choose for your refrigerator:

a. Spill-proof Shelving: Designed to minimize leakage through the fridge.
b. In-door drink sections: Smaller, mid-level compartments that hold beverages or other items. Big plus: this saves energy by not requiring you to open the whole refrigerator.
c. Storage bins and crispers: With compartmentalized temperature controls, these sections allow you to keep produce fresh.
d. Bottom freezers: Putting the freezer sections into pullout drawers and the bottom allows the refrigerator section to be side-by-side at eye level.
e. Deli/meat keepers, butter keepers: Compartments designed to aid organization.

5. Energy Efficiency: If you’re interested in going green with your appliances, look for a refrigerator with the ENERGY STAR® label. Not only is this a more eco-friendly option, but it also can provide great savings to you, by reducing the cost of operating the machine.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged energy-efficiency, improving your kitchen, kitchen, owning a home, owning your first home, refrigerator
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