Savvy Savers

Smart appliances help you accomplish your energy-saving goals.

Article by Jenny de Jesus

Issue Date:  (Mon) April 6, 2009


The most efficient household appliances are designed to work smarter, not harder. So if you’re looking to save some of the most important things (time, energy, money, the world) at home, check out these marvelous machines. They get the job done green. 

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Photo courtesy of Liebherr

Match your eco-friendly refrigerator to your kitchen style. Try Liebherr's extensive line of fully integrated fridges. The refrigerator door can be matched to your cabinetry for the ultimate in design compatability.

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Photo courtesy of Liebherr

GREEN GOAL: Keep your food cool with less energy.


DO IT WITH: Liebherr refrigerators

Refrigerators are notorious for being one of the biggest energy-consumers in the home. So why not start at the top and drastically reduce the energy used to cool your food? Liebherr, a leader in green refrigeration, utilizes all the latest technologies for maximum savings. All of the brand’s refrigerators, including the freestanding and built-in models, are ENERGY STAR® rated and manufactured to RoHS standards (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment). Precise electronic controls maintain the most efficient temperature, and LED lights illuminate the interior. Find it at T. Oki Trading.


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Photo courtesy of Miele

GREEN GOAL: Cook quicker with induction. 


DO IT WITH:
Miele induction cooktops

The faster you can cook, the more energy you can save. Induction cooking is all about speed and efficiency. Miele utilizes high-tech sensor controls, such as Auto Heat-Up, which provides an initial shot of heat. Power Boosters reduce cooking times by raising the temperature setting to its maximum in 10-minute intervals. The 30” and 36” cooktops have four and five speedy cooking zones respectively. Find it at American Cabinetry.


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Photo courtesy of Sub-Zero/Wolf

GREEN GOAL: Heat up the oven in a hurry.


DO IT WITH: Wolf E and L Series electric ovens

Wolf's advanced, dual-convection system with two fans and four heating elements delivers precise, fast cooking times to excellent results. With nearly a dozen cooking modes to choose from, you'll feel comfortable cooking anything in less time. Find it at American Cabinetry.






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Photo courtesy of Sears

GREEN GOAL: Drink cleaner water.


DO IT WITH: PUR refrigerator water filtration systems

Wondering how clean the water from your fridge is? Wonder no more with PUR’s refrigerator filters for water and ice. PUR’s reliable, advanced water-filtration technology turns the tap into fresh-tasting, clean water. The filters fit in select models of Whirlpool, Kenmore and KitchenAid refrigerators. Find it at Sears.


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Photo courtesy of Whirlpool

GREEN GOAL: Wash dishes with less water.


DO IT WITH: The Whirlpool Resource Saver dishwasher

The Whirlpool Resource Saver dishwasher does exactly what it says—saves you precious resources, like water and money, with its super-efficient design—without compromising the cleanliness of your dishes. One of the quietest models to date, it uses one-third less water and energy than dishwashers made only a few years ago. It also has improved wash performance with better water pressure and focused wash action. So skip washing your dishes by hand and save thousands of gallons of water a year. Find it at Pacific Appliance Group.


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Photo courtesy of Servco

GREEN GOAL: Wash and dry your laundry for less.


DO IT WITH: Bosch Nexxt Laundry systems

Bosch makes finding ENERGY STAR® rated washers easy—all of the brand’s washers meet ENERGY STAR® qualifications through 2011. In fact, the Nexxt 800 Series exceeds the energy rating’s requirements at 102 percent. Bosch’s ECOACTION technology adjusts water temperature and cycle length to reduce energy consumption up to 20 percent per cycle. The washers also spin your laundry at a high speed to remove as much water as possible, meaning less time spent in the dryer. Find it at Servco Home & Appliance Showroom.


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Photo courtesy of Servco
DO IT WITH: GE side-by-side frontload washers and dryers

Don't be fooled by the large size of GE's frontloading washers and dryers. The washer uses as little as 10 gallons of water for a small load and 15 gallons for an average-size load, which can save up to 23 gallons per load, or 61 percent water. The dryer's king-size drum also handles very large loads, resulting in fewer loads in the long run. Find it at Servco Home & Appliance Showroom.


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Photo courtesy of GE


DO IT WITH:
GE Profile Harmony

GE's ENERGY STAR® rated Hydrowash system gets clothes clean with care, by moving water and detergent gently through clothes, without tumbling or agitation—saving gallons of water in the process. The dryer uses computer-controlled heating to deliver speed and accuracy, saving time and effort. Find it at Sears.





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Photo courtesy of Hansgrohe

GREEN GOAL:  Save water in the shower.

DO IT WITH: Hansgrohe Croma C and E 100 showerheads and handshowers

Everyone wants to use less water, but most people don’t want to feel like they’re using less. Hansgrohe’s low-flow showerheads and handshowers solve that problem by aerating the water on its way out. The surrounding air is mixed with the water for the full-water feel of a traditional shower, but with much less—only 1.8 gallons per minute, or nearly 30 percent less than the current standard. Find it at Fiddler’s.


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Photo courtesy of T. Oki Trading

GREEN GOAL: Go light on water usage, not style.

DO IT WITH: TOTO Neorest

TOTO is known for its water-saving features. Over the years, they’ve proven green design can be efficient and stylish, too. The modern style of TOTO’s latest Neorest fixtures blends the company’s signature, intelligent features with innovative design. TOTO’s revolutionary flushing engine, called CYCLONE, uses gravity and water for ultimate cleaning, while the water-saving 1.2-gallons-per-flush, or light-flush mode, guarantees optimum efficiency and water conservation. Find it at T. Oki Trading.


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Photos courtesy of Carrier Hawaii

GREEN GOAL: Cool your home efficiently.

DO IT WITH: Carrier Infinity System

Carrier’s Infinity System provides an environmentally friendly cooling solution. The system is one of the most efficient and quiet cooling units available, automatically adjusting for peak power and performance. It can even provide up to 56 percent savings on your cooling costs. A bonus: Carrier’s Puron refrigerant is also non-ozone depleting. Find it at Carrier Hawaii.

Quit peeking.

Resist the urge to open the oven door—it won’t make your food cook any faster. It will, however, waste energy by lowering the temperature as much as 25 degrees, delaying the overall cooking process. Instead, use the interior light and look through the oven window.








Easy as 1, 2, 3

When it comes to saving thousands of gallons of water every year, a few changes in the bathroom can make all the difference.

1.   Choose high-efficiency toilets.

2.   Use water-saving showerheads or handshowers.

3.   Install faucets with water-saving aerators.





Temperature Rising

One of the most inexpensive and effective ways to reduce your air conditioning costs is to adjust your thermostat setting.

For each degree you raise your thermostat setting, you reduce cooling costs by 6 to 8 percent.

Savings can be especially significant when you set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher.
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