AHAM's Blog

New Standards to Save $350 Over the Life of an Appliance

In a move that will save consumers over $20 billion on their electricity and water bills, the US Department of Energy announced today new standards for dishwashers and clothes washers.

Developed in conjunction with AHAM, appliance manufacturers and consumer and environmental groups, beginning in 2013 new dishwashers will use 15 percent less energy and 20 percent less water. Beginning in 2015, new clothes washers will offer consumers more efficient choices and save households approximately $350 over the lifetime of the appliance.

AHAM President Joe McGuire said, “DOE’s implementation of these new standards reflects the consensus agreement reached by stakeholders. It will result in tremendous energy savings for the consumer while preserving product choice and minimizing manufacturer impact. The home appliance industry is proud of its long history of energy efficiency advancements benefiting consumers and applauds DOE for working with stakeholders to increase energy efficiency,”

For more than 20 years, there has been a steady increase in the efficiency of home appliances as manufacturers have developed ways for dishwashers and clothes washers to use less electricity and water. For example, in 1991 the average dishwasher consumed 2.67 kilowatts (kWh) per cycle and by 2010 it was only 1.37 kWh/ cycle – that’s nearly a 49% decrease! Also, clothes washers consumed 2.68 kWh/cycle in 1991 and in 2010 it had dropped by 75% to .66 kWh/cycle!

If you’re in the market now for a new appliance, you can search AHAM’s directory of certified clothes washers and dishwashers.  All of the models listed in the directory have been verified for water and energy use.

For more information on DOE’s announcement, click here.

The Home of the Future…from 1957

What images are conjured up when you envision the “Home of the Future?”   Nowadays, you might think of a kitchen equipped with modern-looking smart appliances that can be controlled from your smart phone.  If so, you would be correct because those technologies are currently being developed and will not only save you time and effort in the kitchen, but help to lower your utility bills with increased energy efficiency.

However, six decades ago, the “Home of the Future” was envisioned very differently.  At Disneyland in Anaheim California, the Monsanto Home of the Future became a major attraction in 1957 that showcased what a typical American home would be like in 1986. Some things, such as microwaves and dishwashers, would become ubiquitous. However, some parts of this futuristic kitchen never came to pass and now seem kitschy by today’s standards, such as all-plastic dinnerware, using the dishwasher to store the dishes, and replacing the refrigerator/freezer with hidden “cold zones” for “irradiated food.”

This website features more information about the Monsanto Home of the Future and includes a fun 8-minute film from the late 1950s of a housewife daydreaming about living there. You can see more pictures of the Home of the Future here.  

Or watch here:

 

What do you think of this Monsanto Home of the Future?    What do you hope the Home of the Future will look like?    Tell us!

South Carolina Offers Rebates for ENERGY STAR Appliances

If you live in South Carolina and have been holding off on purchasing a new energy efficient appliance, now is the time to get one – but you have to act fast! The Aiken Standard reported that beginning Friday, January 27^th through February 5^th, dishwashers, refrigerators and room air conditioners will receive a $50 rebate and clothes washers will receive a $100 rebate. All appliances must be ENERGY STAR certified to be eligible for the rebate.

Upgrading to ENERGY STAR appliances are not only greener than the appliances of yesteryear by consuming less electricity and water, but they will leave you with more green in your bank, too. By purchasing an ENERGY STAR washer, you could save over $135 per year on your utility bills. In fact, in 1990, the average consumption for a washer was 2.67 kilowatt hours (kWh) per cycle and one manufactured in 2010 consumes only .66 kWh per cycle – a 75 percent decrease!  Click here to find ENERGY STAR qualified washers.

For more information about the rebate program, visit the South Carolina Energy Office’s website.   If you do not live in South Carolina, click here to review savings opportunities in your area.

Smart Appliances Make Headlines at CES

Smart Appliances were the subject of quite a few news articles, including the City News in Toronto, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today and Consumer Reports, as a result of the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas, NV.

Additionally, click here to view copies of the presentations about smart appliances made during the AHAM-sponsored panel discussion "Window to Tomorrow's Connected Home."

Appliances Need Routine Maintenance, Too

Appliances, even small ones, are an investment and need to be properly maintained just like an automobile. Failure to do so can shorten the lifespan of the appliance and it can become a serious safety issue.

According to a recent article on FoxNews.com, coffee machines should be cleaned regularly. “’It’s just like a car. Just because you have a $100,000 Mercedes doesn’t mean you don’t have to change the oil and check the brakes and tires,’ says Scott Kopin, president of the National Appliance Service Association. For espresso machines, Kopin recommends for daily use, clean out all removable parts every day and run a plain-water rinse cycle (e.g., without coffee) to push hot water through all the valves to flush out residue.”

Additionally, it is important to remember to properly maintain your clothes dryer to maintain performance and enhance safety.  AHAM recommends the following:

• Be sure you can feel air flowing out of the vent to the outdoors when the air is on
• Inspect the venting system behind the dryer and replace any pieces that are damaged or crushed
• Clean the lint filter after each load
• Periodically clean the back of the dyer where lint can be trapped

These tips and others can be found in AHAM’s clothes dryer safety brochure, which you may order by clicking here. There is no charge for orders of less than 250 copies, and a nominal shipping charge for larger orders.

AHAM 6 Increase by 1.2 Percent from One Year Ago

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reports that shipments of the “AHAM 6” major appliances in the U.S. “…increased in September for the first time since March, rising 1.2 percent from a year earlier.” The AHAM 6 includes clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, ovens and ranges. During the month of September, refrigerators and freezers climbed from 1,080,800 to 1,166,800 shipments – a 7.9 percent from September 2010 while shipments of ranges, ovens and microwaves increased 3.10 percent, from 1,608,000 to 1,657,000.

If you would like to receive monthly factory shipment reports, visit the AHAM Store to purchase a one-year subscription. Each monthly report includes the number of shipments for cooking (ranges and ovens), home laundry (washers and dryers), kitchen clean up (dishwashers, disposals and compactors), food preservation (refrigerators and freezers) and home comfort appliances (room air conditioners and dehumidifiers). Subscriptions are based on the calendar year.

Additionally, AHAM has a five-year data series available, which includes factory shipment report for the current year as well as from 2007-2010.

New Appliances Now More Efficient Than Ever

For most consumers, when it comes to replacing appliances, one of their primary concerns is how much it will cost to operate them.  Over the past several decades, appliance manufacturers have developed technologies that have drastically reduced appliance energy consumption, which has resulted in lower electricity bills for consumers.  For example, in 1991, an average dishwasher consumed 2.67 kilowatt hours (kWh) per cycle and in 2010, the average consumption for a dishwasher is 1.37 kWh – a 45 percent decrease.  In 1990, a typical household refrigerator consumed 916 kWh per year, and by 2010 that had decreased to 462 kWh per year – that’s nearly a 50 percent decrease!    Based on the national average electricity prices, that means replacing a refrigerator from 1990 with a new unit of average efficiency will save your household over $100 per year!

Purchasing an ENERGY STAR unit will save even more energy and utility costs.   Use the ENERGY STAR calculator to determine how much money you will save by replacing your refrigerator.   Also, look at the rebate calculator to see what is available in your zip code.    These rebates can help offset the initial purchase price of a new unit.   There may even be a bounty available in your area for turning in an older working unit.    See AHAM’s database of verified refrigerators to check on the energy usage of the latest models.

A recent article from NewJersey.com provides a good overview of the ENERGY STAR program and how you can cut your utility bills when you make your next appliance purchase.

AHAM Supports MA Bill That Would Provide Consumer Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Appliances

Today AHAM's Government Affairs Director Kevin Washington provided testimony before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Revenue in favor of H. 1675, which would provide tax credits to residential consumers who purchase clothes washers, clothes dryers and dishwashers. AHAM also recommened to the Committee that the bill be amended to include other energy efficient appliances that are designated ENERGY STAR appliances.

Said Mr. Washington, "The typical household spends $1,900 a year on energy bills. With ENERGY STAR products, Massachusetts residents can annually save up to 30 percent – nearly $600. This amount of consumer savings adds up to lower energy production and greenhouse gas emissions equal to 50 power plants."

The complete testimony can be found here.

Space Saving Appliances: Small, Tidy and Mighty!

Pick up the June issue of Kitchen and Bath Ideas Magazine, or visit KitchenBathideas.com to read their “Small But Mighty” article (pg. 27) on space saving appliances that make meal prep and cleanup easier!    Many of your kitchen appliances are available in smaller sizes or space saving configurations.   If you are redesigning your kitchen, the sky is the limit with configurations, sizes and styles to choose from.   Consider multiple dishwasher drawers in lieu of a tall tub configuration and as I stated in the magazine, try it before you buy it!  Bring your most-frequently used tray or serving dish with you and “bring measurements with you when you shop to ensure you buy the right-sized appliance- especially if it’s one that will be installed, such as a warming drawer.”  The article includes a buying and planning guide—so check it out before making your next purchase.

 

Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances on Earth Day

Today is Earth Day! 

Many people find Earth Day to be a great time to start incorporating more environmentally friendly practices into their everyday life.  Upgrading your appliances to new, more efficient models can make a great impact in how much water and energy you use each day.  Manufacturers have made great progress in reducing the environmental impact of appliances.  Visit www.ENERGYSTAR.gov to find ENERGY STAR rated appliances, and look for special rebates in your area.  Some large appliances that are ENERGY STAR qualified, like clothes washers, dishwashers and refrigerators, use 10-30% less energy than average models. 

Click here to read more easy tips for energy savings!  Changing the settings on your appliances to the eco-option will use less water and energy and is as easy as pushing a button. 

If you are looking for a place to recycle your old appliances, call 1-800-YES-1-CAN.  They will help you find a place nearby to recycle these products properly.

Leave a comment below and tell us what you are doing to celebrate Earth Day!