Green Product Category: Appliances

Appliances are significant ongoing users of energy and potable water. Federal standards for some appliances are helping to ensure that certain new appliances will be far more efficient than models they are replacing, but some manufacturers offer products that significantly exceed federal standards. Many of the most efficient appliances come from Europe, where energy is more expensive than in North America.

Washing machines

Horizontal-axis clothes-washing machines have long been the standard among commercial-quality washers and in Europe. They use much less water than the typical American top-loader, are gentler on the clothes, use less detergent, wash more effectively, and—because they spin faster—remove more of the moisture from a load of laundry, which reduces the amount of energy needed for drying. For years these models were almost impossible to find in the U.S., but now most major American manufacturers are producing them. Although horizontal-axis washers are more expensive than standard top-loaders, the extra cost will be recovered by detergent savings alone—even before the water savings, energy savings (by using less hot water and reducing drying time), and wear-and-tear on clothing are factored in.

Dishwashers

Seek out an efficient dishwasher that meets the convenience and feature requirements—and don’t use energy-guzzling features, such as heat drying, when it isn’t necessary. Most models have a water-saving cycle that should be used for lightly soiled dishes or partial loads (though it usually makes the most sense to wash only full loads). Note that hand-washing dishes may use more water and energy than a dishwasher, depending on how one does the hand-washing.

Refrigerators

Driven by national standards, the energy efficiency of refrigerators has improved greatly over the past few decades. Unfortunately, a common practice when buying a new refrigerator is to keep the older one for storing beer and soda; this practice should be avoided. In general, refrigerators in the 16- to 20-cubic-foot range tend to be most efficient (because these are the most popular sizes, this is where manufacturers invest the most R&D funding), as are those with freezers on top or bottom instead of side-by-side. Avoid extra convenience features like ice-makers unless they’ll be used frequently.

About that gas range

For ranges and cooktops, electric elements should be preferred over gas simply to avoid the toxic byproducts of gas combustion in the house. If a gas appliance is used, an effective vent-hood exhaust (rather than a system that simply filters and recirculates the air) should be used whenever the burners are on. Select a range-hood fan that operates quietly, to increase the likelihood that it will be used by occupants. Halogen electric elements provide the instant-on, instant-off performance that many cooks seek in a gas range.

Most gas ovens use a significant amount of electricity because they have a glow-bar that is on continuously in order to reignite the gas flame immediately if it is blown out somehow. In fact, a microwave oven can use less electricity to bake a potato than a gas oven! While microwaves are a more efficient way to cook, there are some concerns about the possible leakage of microwaves if the door seals aren’t perfect.

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