http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

Energy-efficient appliances may have drawbacks
BY SARA SCHAEFER MUNOZ The Wall Street Journal

   Jeanine Van Voorhees wanted to do her part for the environment when she bought a $1,000 energy-saving washing machine. But her clothes came out covered in cat hair and her whites were dingy. She resorted to washing some loads twice.
   “I curse that machine every time,” says Van Voorhees, a retired nurse practitioner from North Tonawanda.
   Amid concerns about energy consumption, Americans are increasingly encouraged to buy energy-efficient appliances. But while some of the latest products can offer significant energy and water savings, they can be double the price — or have kinks that can result in clothes and dishes needing to be washed twice.
   Still, water and energy bills are on the rise in many areas, and appliancemakers are increasing their offerings of low energy-use products. A few months ago, Sears Holdings Corp. unveiled a new line of high-efficiency appliances, including the Kenmore Elite Ultra Wash dishwasher that promises to use about half the water of a standard one. General Electric Co. this year rolled out several new energy-efficient refrigerators, such as the Profile French Door Bottom Freezer Refrigerator that uses at least 15 percent less energy. Companies such as Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group and LG Group have stepped up their offerings of front-load washing machines, which have doors in the front and can accommodate bigger loads but save on water.
   An efficient refrigerator won’t command much of a premium, but energy-saving dishwashers and clothes washers can go for double the price of standard models. According to the NPD Group, a market research firm in Port Washington, the demand for Energy Star products has fallen slightly in the past year. Approximately 52 percent of all dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines sold in the 12 months ended in May were Energy Star qualified, compared with 54 percent in the year-earlier period. Energy Star is the government labeling program for products that meet energy-efficient criteria. Sales of major appliances were $22.4 billion in 2006, flat compared with 2005, according to NPD.
   But, environmental advocates point out that the biggest energy sucks aren’t washing machines and dishwashers. Many consumers don’t realize that an energy-guzzling plasma TV can offset the energy savings of kitchen appliances. A conventional TV consumes about 130 watts of power per hour, while a 42-inch plasma consumes more than twice as much, or around 350 watts per hour, according to Tom Reddoch, manager of energy use for the Electric Power Research Institute, a Palo Alto, Calif., nonprofit organization that promotes the adoption of energy-efficient practices. And one of the largest energy-savings measures is replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use about 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs.
   Still, government and local utilities are stepping up incentives to get consumers to shell out more for energy-efficient appliances in an effort to ease the burden on regional grids and water supplies. Pacific Gas & Electric Co., which serves 15 million people in California, this year raised its rebates to $75 for clothes washers and $50 for dishwashers that meet certain efficiency standards. The federal government offers up to a $300 tax credit for those who install energy-efficient air conditioning and heating systems.
   But before buyers hit the showroom floor, consumer advocates point out there a few things they should consider. While most energysaving appliances perform well, some can pose problems. For example, many consumers don’t know they need to use high-efficiency soap or half the amount of regular detergent with front-loading clothes washers. These can use as much as 70 percent less water than top-loaders, but regular detergent creates extra suds in this type of washer, and is tougher to rinse. Also, the machine senses the suds and uses extra water, offsetting savings.
   Also, some people who bought front loaders have complained of drainage problems that cause mold build-up around the edge of the opening and a foul smell. Several years ago, owners of a Maytag frontloader, the Neptune, filed a lawsuit due to issues with the machines, including mold growth and door latch problems. The company settled the suit in 2005 and agreed to cover repair and replacement costs, according Jonathan Shub, a lead counsel on the case.
   Whirlpool Corp., which now owns Maytag, and Sears said mold buildup in front-loaders is minor, and urge consumers to take preventive steps, such as cleaning the drum and door seal periodically or leaving the door open when the washer isn’t in use.
   Front-load machines use less water because they cycle the clothes through water at the bottom, whereas top-load machines fill the entire drum with water. Front-loaders also save energy because they dry clothes better in the spin cycle, so clothes need less time in the dryer.  

  
  
  

They make all of us buy energy efficient appliances and after we spend big bucks on said appliance we find out that they don't do the job and we've wasted our money. Once you buy it it's yours because the dealers aren't going to take them back so you're stuck with them.

Quoted Text

Many consumers don’t realize that an energy-guzzling plasma TV can offset the energy savings of kitchen appliances.

And we own a plasma. No one ever told us about the energy cost. But then again we weren't looking for the nice, big, bright energy saving star on it either. Nor did we care. We just wanted the damn plasma!!!  

One of our best investments was buying a 93% efficient gas furnace which really did save on gas. The problem was after saving all those units of natural gas the price of said gas went up and there went a lot of our savings.

We have a pellet stove. This will be our 5th year. The first 2 years we saved a bundle on our regular gas heat. We still save some, but not like it was in the beginning. As soon as the gas prices went up, so did the pellets. (ya know, that supply and demand thing?)

We get about 4tons for the winter seasn and they come in 50lb bags. Each bag now costs us $1.20 more than it did 3 years ago. So just when ya think ya got 'em beat one way....they stick it to ya the other way. BUT, we keep on trying.

I guess it's back to the river for washing......

I remember when people all went to the air tight wood stoves when natural gas prices went thru the roof and the cost of a cord of wood went thru the roof too. You're right Bumble just when you figure out a way to save a few bucks they figure out a way to take it away from you.

I remember that too....that was one reason we went to a pellet stove. But ya just can't win. So I guess you pick your poison and who you want to make rich or richer. And for me, it won't be the utility companies!