Great Green Appliances
(Page 5 of 6)
December/January 2003
By Greg Pahl
Gas dryers typically cost more to purchase than electric models, but are normally cheaper to operate. For the simplest and least expensive dryer of all, though, buy and use a clothesline. You'll have no electric or gas costs, and no repair bills.
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EMBODIED ENERGY
Consider one final environmental factor before you replace an older appliance: embodied energy. This includes all the energy from mining the product's raw materials to its manufacturing and delivery to the consumer. Your old appliance contains a lot of embodied energy, but remember, so does its potential new replacement.
"I wish there was a simple answer to this question, but unfortunately there isn't," Chin says. "I don't have a formula for calculating embodied energy, but my gut feeling is that it's large. So, the question you have to ask when you're looking at replacing any appliance is, `How much energy am I actually going to save in making this replacement?"'
Generally speaking, if the appliance in question is at least 10 years old and shows signs of wear, the energy and money saved by replacing it with a new energy-efficient model are justified. Do your homework first; no matter what color you choose for your new appliance, if it's energy efficient, it's green.
More Energy Savings Information
For more information on the latest technologies in appliances or ways to make your existing appliances run more efficiently, call or visit the following:
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) (202) 429-8873 www.aceee.org/consumerguide/mostenef.htm Loads of up-to-date information on energy-efficient appliances, including manufacturer and model comparisons. ACEEE also publishes The Most Energy-Efficient Appliances, 2002-2003 edition, which is available for $6 postpaid.
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (202) 872-5955 www.aham.org A comprehensive consumer guide to the selection, use, care, service and repair of household appliances.
California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Centerwww.consumerenergycenter.org Link to "choices at home & work," then select "homes," then "appliances" for extensive coverage of appliances and related subjects.
Consolidated Edisonwww.coned.com/customer/ Check out the Appliance Guide to compare energy consumption of most household appliances. You may be surprised at what you learn.
Consumer Reports Onlinewww.consumerreports.org Select "appliances" to find a wealth of information on refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and much more.
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