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[img_assist|fid=1324|thumb=1|alt=old appliances]
My beloved dishwasher died, today -- going out in a blaze of glory and plumes of white smoke (no lie!) -- and, though it was not very old, terribly overworked and yet showed no signs of slowing down, the frickin' thing couldn't have picked a worse time to croak!
Warranties having expired as well, it's going to cost us...one way, or another...and I'm thinking...couldn't it at least have been our thirteen-year-old refrigerator, instead!?!
**brief moment of silence**
Not that I'm saying there's a "right time" for things to break -- this morning was NOT one of them -- perhaps you're like me (minus the dish-pan-hands, at the moment) and wonder whether it's time we replaced some of our "older" appliances.
Or not.
Because -- as you may, or may not, already know -- large kitchen appliances can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000, or more, whether it is a domestic or foreign-made brand and depending upon the number of bells and whistles it comes with.
But, did you know that large household appliances can be recycled, not to mention using an efficient dishwasher can actually save more water than washing by hand?
Like most appliances, dishwashers are mostly steel and plastic, and a large proportion of each unit can be recycled. Depending on the efficiency of your old model, you may save more in the long run by replacing a broken dishwasher rather than repairing it. The savings could be as much as $50 a year—enough to recoup the purchase price over the life of the appliance. Nearly all new machines perform extremely well and offer significant improvements in water and energy efficiency over older models.
For more information on where you can take old appliances for recycling in your area, visit Earth 911 or the Steel Recycling Institute online.
[source]
Or, did you know that buying a new refrigerator can significantly reduce your energy bill?
The refrigerator is a major consumer of power in your home. Buying a new, energy-efficient model can save you a bundle. That's because new rules for energy efficiency require all refrigerators built after June 2001 to use, on average, 30 percent less energy than models built after 1993. If your refrigerator was built before '93, chances are your savings will be even greater.
My parents bought us our refrigerator when we moved into our house in 1993, but -- like I said, the frickin' thing still works -- how much more efficient could it be, if I bit the bullet and bought new?
If your fridge is on the fritz, buying a new one can be better than repairing. Energy Star models built in the last year are about 40 percent more efficient than conventional models built before 2001 and 50 percent more efficient that those built before 1993. Consumer Reports tests also show that efficiency diminishes somewhat over the life of the appliance.
[Consumers can find information about energy efficiency for appliances and calculate the savings of upgrading to more efficient appliances at http://www.Energystar.gov.]
Here are some questions to consider when deciding whether to replace an appliance:
How old is the appliance?
What would a similar appliance cost?
Are there hidden costs? Removal, Installation? disposal? Tax?
How difficult is it to replace the appliance? Is it a built-in?
What energy savings will I get with the new appliance?
What additional features will I get with the new appliance?
[via: RepairClinic.com]
That's a lot to take into consideration -- I know! -- and since today is "Works for me Wednesday" (hosted by Rocks In My Dryer) Jeana has given me something else to think about, as she passes along some appliance know-how, along with sound advice on how leaving some space in your freezer can make it much more efficient to...um...you know...freeze stuff:
Ah, the innocence. Relatively full, the freezer may work more efficiently because the frozen stuff insulates each other. But in order to bring room temperature items down to freezing temperature, you can't just insulate your stuff, the freezer has to blow arctic air on it. Which it can not do if your freezer is too full for the air to circulate.
**eyes go wide**
Okay, so maybe I haven't been as efficient with taking care of my freezer, either.
But, there are ways that I can help the environment, as well as keeping my kitchen appliances from going belly-up, too soon:
ucsusa.org - Increasing energy efficiency in homes and businesses.
nrdc.org - Using your appliances more efficiently.
GreenerChoices.org - Getting the latest
