Appliance Selection

1. Appliance Selection

2. Energy Savings This label assures consumers that the product is one of the most energy efficient on the market. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Dept. of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

3. Energy Star Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2010 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 33 million cars — all while saving nearly $18 billion on their utility bills. If looking for new household products, look for ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR. They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy.

4. Energy Star Refrigerators: ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators are 20% more energy efficient than the minimum federal standard. Replace your old fridge for bigger savings.If you still have a fridge from the 1980s, replace it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model and save over $100 each year on your utility bills. Replace a fridge from the 1970s and save more than $200 each year!

5. Shopping for A Refrigerator • Ask for an ENERGY STAR model. When buying a refrigerator, request an ENERGY STAR qualified model to ensure it is energy efficient. • Check the yellow Energy Guide label.Use this label to determine the model's energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs.

6. Shopping for A Refrigerator • Refrigerator Styles (each has it’s own benefits and energy usage) : • All Refrigerator • Refrigerator with Freezer Capacity • Top Mount Refrigerator • Bottom Mount Refrigerator • Side by Side Refrigerator • French Door Models • Refrigerator Drawers

7. Shopping for A Refrigerator • Consider buying a refrigerator with a top-mounted freezer. Models with top-mounted freezers use 10–25% less energy than bottom-mount or side-by-side models. • Purchase an appropriately sized refrigerator.Generally, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. The most energy-efficient models are typically 16–20 cubic feet.

8. Shopping for A Refrigerator • Consider skipping the ice-maker and dispenser.Automatic ice-makers and through-the-door dispensers increase energy use by 14–20%. They also raise the purchase price by $75–250.

9. Ranges and Cooktops • Ranges cost anywhere from $400 for the basic range, to $40,000 for one with all of the bells & whistles. • Ranges come in three basic styles: freestanding, slide-in, and drop-in. • Freestanding ranges have finished sides so they can be placed at the end of a counter or even stand alone. • Slide-ins, which lack finished side and back panels, are designed to go between cabinets. • Drop-ins are supported by a cabinet, which gives them a more built-in look, but eliminates the bottom drawer.

10. Ranges and Cooktops • Which should I choose…gas or electric? Gas offers high heat, visible flame and, yes, POWER. • Efficiency: • Gas is 50% efficient • Electric is 65% efficient • Induction is 90% efficient

11. Ranges and Cooktops • Gas • Gas is a great source for roasting meats and casseroles, and perfect for broiling. One of the by-products of gas is moisture, which aids in the cooking process.

12. Ranges and Cooktops - Fuel • The most basic question is whether it will run on gas, electricity, or both (dual fuel). Most cooks prefer gas for its precision, but your choice may depend on what’s available where you live. • Electric • Require a dedicated, high-amp circuit, but running new wire is less expensive and less intrusive than adding a gas line. • For gas burners, heat output is measured in British thermal units (Btu), electric burners in watts. Although thermal efficiencies aren’t exactly the same, 1,000 watts (one kilowatt) equals about 3,400 Btu. • Electric is what the true backer wants – dry heat and even, constant temperature

13. Ranges and Cooktops - Fuel • Electric • Smooth-top electric ranges typically have four elements in three sizes, ranging from 1,200 watts for the small element to 1,500 to 1,800 watts in the middle and topping out at about 2,500 watts. • The most basic electric burners have the familiar coils that plug into a socket beneath the cooktop, today these are found only on the lowest-price models. • Smooth-top designs with the heating elements housed beneath a sheet of glass are much easier to keep clean and are increasingly common. • Ribbon-style elements, a more recent development for glass-top ranges, come up to full temperature in seconds, much faster than old coil burners.

14. Ranges and Cooktops - Fuel • Induction • Induction cooking uses electromagnetic energy to heat the steel or iron pan directly, not the cooktop surface itself. • Induction burners have the precision and instant response of gas and, because of greater thermal efficiency, a 3,600-watt burner has the equivalent output of 25,000 Btu.

15. Ovens - Fuel • While cooks prefer gas cooktops, bakers often prefer electric ovens. • A dual-fuel range offers the versatility of both, but it can cost hundreds of dollars more than a single-fuel range. • Convection ovens use a fan to circulate air, which helps keep temperatures even while reducing baking times. In addition to an upper and lower heating element, some makers add a third electric element at the rear of the oven with a fan for more flexibility in baking and roasting. • Appliance makers are exploring technology that is even more efficient which combine the radiant heat produced by halogen bulbs  with microwaves to shorten cooking time.

16. Microwave Ovens • Cook food without heating the oven or the kitchen • More efficient than conventional ovens for heating liquids and cooking small quantities of food. • Typical installation is over the range, on the countertop, or now a drawer-style which is located in a base cabinet.

17. Microwave Oven Features • Power rating • The magnetron, which generates the microwaves, is the heart of the oven. Midsized and large ovens are typically rated at 850 to 1,650 watts; compact ovens, at about 600 to 800 watts. More watts typically mean more heat. But differences of 100 watts or so don't matter much • Turntable vs. tray • A microwave oven must keep food moving for uniform heating. Most microwaves have a turntable that rotates the food. Some replace the turntable with a rectangular tray that slides from side to side.

18. Microwave Oven Features • Sensor • It measures emitted steam to determine when food is done; that helps prevent over- or undercooking and is a key feature on any microwave oven. • Shortcut keys • Earlier microwaves had just an automatic popcorn setting and perhaps a few others have a variety of settings available now as well as for reheating or defrosting. That eliminates the need to worry about time and power settings; just press the appropriate button. But avoid paying extra for shortcut keys you probably won't use.

19. Selecting a Dishwasher • Size matters • An 18" dishwasher - generally is adequate for 2 - 3 persons and can hold up to 6 or 8 standard place settings. • A compact 18" dishwasher is great for a couple or small kitchen and occasional use. • A regular 24" dishwasher - has a capacity for 12 to 14 standard place settings and is sufficiently family-sized. • a standard 24" dishwasher is great for family use.

20. Selecting a Dishwasher • What type is best for you? • Traditional – Under the Counter • Provide the best operating convenience, being permanently located for easy access with no need to relocate it to the kitchen sink every time you need to use it

21. Selecting a Dishwasher • Dishwasher Drawers • Also called dishdrawers, these non-traditional dishwashers are pricey but if you can afford one, you'll find it the most convenient. • First introduced by Fisher & Paykel, there are only a few brands and models on the market, which accounts for the non-competitive pricing. • Drawer dishwashers come in two styles - double drawers or a single drawer unit are require the same type of permanent installation as a traditional dishwasher.

22. Selecting a Dishwasher • Dishwasher Drawers • Their biggest benefit is convenience - you can run one or both of the double drawers - each is independent of the other. • You can even use different wash cycles. • They are also the best when it comes to saving energy because you can run smaller loads when you need to.

23. Selecting a Dishwasher • Portable Free-Standing • Suitable for a family and with no special plumbing installation required, portable dishwashers are a great option for apartment dwellers or for those who relocate often. • They only require a parking space in your kitchen and operation is simple. When you need to run it, wheel it to the kitchen sink, connect with an adapter to the hot water faucet, load and operate as you would a built-in model.

24. Appliance Finishes & Colors • The majority of appliances now come in three basic finishes: • White • Black • Stainless steel

25. Sources • http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/microwave-ovens/buying-guide.htm • http://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling/articles/shopping-ranges?page=0,0 • http://housewares.about.com/od/dishwashers/bb/buydishwasher.htm