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MAJOR HOME APPLIANCES HOME SERIES How to Run Your Home’s Appliances to Save Money and Energy INSIDE REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS . 2 RANGES AND OVENS . 7 MICROWAVES . .10 DISHWASHERS. .11 CLOTHES WASHERS AND DRYERS . .13 REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS Since the first modern household refrigerator was developed and manufactured in 1916, its design has steadily improved in efficiency and effectiveness. In fact, due to recent federal standards, a refrigerator built in the 1990s uses half as much energy as a comparable model built in the 1970s. There are a lot of fairly simple things you can do to improve the overall efficiency of your refrigerator or freezer. By following the steps in this section, you will be saving money as well as conserving energy and natural resources. Keep it Clean... It’s a good idea to clean your refrigerator at least every other month. If you look behind and underneath your refrigerator, you’ll see some metal coils, usually black in color. These are the heat-condenser coils that transfer heat from the inside of the unit to the outside air. Because dust acts as an insulator, dusty heat exchange coils can’t get rid of heat as easily and the refrigerator has to work harder to keep your One way to save energy is food cool. These coils should be kept clean with a vacuum or dust to keep your refrigerator’s broom. Consult your owner’s manual for specific cleaning instructions. condenser coils clean. Condenser coils are found ...And Defrosted on the back or underneath of Moisture from stored foods and liquids evaporates inside the re- your unit. frigerator. This moisture condenses and builds up a frost layer on the seals inside walls of your freezer. This frost prevents the cold from the re- frigerant coils from circulating properly. Unless you have a frost-free unit, some condensation should be expected. You should defrost your freezer compartment before the ice gets 1 ⁄4-inch thick. You may need to adjust your thermostat after defrosting (see next section on settings). It’s also a good idea to keep lids on any liquids stored in the refrigerator, such as juices or soups. Leaving them uncovered speeds the evaporation process and quickly adds to the frost buildup. Additionally, let hot foods cool before storing them. This will save your refrigerator a lot of extra work. If you do need to put hot food into your refrigerator, first pack it into smaller, shallow containers. This speeds up the cooling time and reduces the evaporation. Thermostat Settings If your refrigerator has an energy-saver setting, use it. If it doesn’t, keep your thermostat between 37° F and 42° F in your refrigerator and Be sure the door seals on 0° F in the freezer. If your temperature dial only has numbers on it, your refrigerator are work- consult your owner’s manual, or better yet, use a thermometer to deter- ing properly. If they aren’t, replacing them can improve mine the temperature for each number setting. If you’re going to be out your unit’s efficiency and of town for an extended time, set the thermostat a few degrees warmer save you money. than usual. Your food should be safe and the unit’s compressor won’t 2 have to run as often. It’s also important to leave a little room between items on the shelves so the cold air can circulate properly. If you pack food together too closely on the shelf, the cold air may not be able to reach some of it enough to prevent spoiling. Good Habits Refrigerator Tips Standing in front of an open refrigerator is a waste of energy. Though it’s not always possible, try to decide what you want in your • Clean your refrigerator’s refrigerator before you open the door. The interior temperature of the condenser coils at least every unit can shoot up 10° F to 20° F each time you open the door. The other month. longer the door is left open, the more cool air will be lost and the longer 1 • Defrost when the frost gets ⁄4-inch the compressor will have to run to lower the temperature. thick. The frost prevents the cold Of course, you should always make sure that the door has closed air from from circulating and sealed properly. Get in the habit of checking the door after you use properly. it. Often, especially on older units, the door won’t swing completely • Always make sure that the door is closed and will hang open until someone notices and pushes it com- closed and sealed. pletely shut. An open refrigerator can’t cool properly and you run the • Check the door seals periodically risk of spoiling the food inside, which can be a costly and unpleasant and replace them if they are worn experience. or leaking. • Keep your thermostat between Checking for Leaks 37°F and 42°F. If you’re going to Even when the door is closed, cold air can leak out from your be out of town for an extended refrigerator. Check the magnetic door gaskets periodically and replace time, set the thermostat a few them if they’re worn or leaking. Over time, vinyl or rubber seals tend degrees higher. to harden or become twisted out of shape. To find air leaks, pass the • Keep your refrigerator as full as back of your hand around the closed seal to detect escaping cool air. Or possible. better yet, insert a piece of paper, such as a dollar bill, at various points • Leave space between items between the seal and the edge of the door when you close it. If the on the shelves for proper air paper can be easily pulled out with two fingers, or worse yet, if it slips circulation. down or falls out by itself, it’s time to replace the seal. Replacement • Keep lids on any liquid containers seals are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased at your local hard- stored in the refrigerator. ware store or appliance dealer. Make sure you check your owner’s • Don’t place the unit in direct manual for the correct size and type of replacement seal. sunlight or near a heat source such as an oven or a furnace One vs. Two Refrigerators register. Keep at least 3 inches To store large amounts of food, use a single large refrigerator. It is of space around the unit for air to much more efficient than using two or more smaller ones. circulate freely. Location Counts Don’t place your refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight or near any heat source, such as an oven or a furnace register. The cooler the surrounding temperature, the easier it is for the unit to maintain a cold temperature inside. Also, avoid wedging your refrigerator into a tight space between walls, cabinets or other appliances. There should be at least 3 inches of space around the outside of the unit for air to circulate freely. Otherwise, there may be excessive heat and dust buildup that can cause the unit to run more often and thereby shorten its life span. Most new 3 Tips for Buying a New Refrigerator refrigerators are built to last for 15 to 20 years, but to give you those • Top freezer models are more years of trouble-free service, they’ll need a little breathing room. efficient (use 7-13% less energy) than side-by-side models. Replacement • Manual defrost models use half the Of course, no machine lasts forever. If you decide to retire your old energy of automatic defrost models refrigerator, evaluate your needs before you invest in another one. Ask but must be defrosted periodically yourself, how well did your old refrigerator meet your needs? Do you to remain energy-efficient. need more room, or could you easily get by with less? How much • Automatic ice-makers and through- the-door dispensers will increase freezer space will you need? Knowing the answers to these types of energy use by 14% to 20% and questions before going shopping will help you choose a refrigerator increase the purchase price by that’s best for you. about $75 to $250. Buying a refrigerator that’s larger than you need is probably a • Models with an anti-sweat heater waste of money, because you’ll be spending extra money to cool will consume 5% to 10% more unused space. Generally speaking, two people need 8 to 10 cubic feet energy. Look for a model that has of storage space in the refrigerator compartment. One cubic foot should an "energy saver" switch that allows you to turn off or turn down be added to the unit’s size for each additional person. For freezer com- the heating coils (which prevent partments, 3 cubic feet is adequate for two people, and again, add 1 condensation). cubic foot of space for each additional person. • The most energy-efficient models are in the 16 to 20 cubic foot sizes. Energy Efficiency is Crucial Generally, the larger the refrigerator, The refrigerator is the only appliance in your home that works con- the greater the energy consumption. tinuously, day after day, month after month, year after year. One tool Too large a model will waste space and energy; too small a model could you can use to help you make an energy-wise investment is the yellow mean extra trips to the supermarket. EnergyGuide label found on all new refrigerators. These labels show • It is usually less costly to run one the annual operating cost of a new appliance based on the national larger refrigerator than two smaller average electrical cost.