Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen Appliances
Use fewer resources, reduce pollution, and save a little on your energy bill, too.

The great thing about energy-efficient appliances is you never miss the energy that
isn t being used. Your stove still bakes a casserole just as well, dishwashers get your
dishes just as clean, refrigerators keep your food just as cold and fresh but they use
less energy to perform these functions. Look for the following two labels, which will help
you choose energy-efficient models.
The big yellow EnergyGuide labels on refrigerators and dishwashers provide specific
information about their yearly energy use so you can compare similar models. All major
home appliances must meet conservation standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE). Manufacturers use standard test procedures developed by DOE to prove their prod-
ucts energy use and efficiency and print the test results on the EnergyGuide labels. A label
on a product does not mean it s energy efficient it simply gives measurements you can use
to compare new appliances with the energy use of your current appliances and to accurately
calculate your savings.
Products that have earned the Energy Star label are exceptionally energy efficient. It s
the U.S. government s seal of approval for products that exceed federal standards. Typically,
Energy Star-qualified products use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard products.

Stoves differ very little from one to the next within a particular type for
example, all electric stoves with coiled burners use the same amount
of energy. Because of this, they don t require Energy Star labels. When
shopping, look at the type of stove being considered rather than the indi-
vidual models. Here s a general guide for stove efficiency:

GOOD: Electric ceramic glass units with halogen elements deliver
instant heat and respond quickly when the temperature setting is
changed.
BETTER: Induction elements transfer the electromagnetic energy
directly to the pan, leaving the cooktop cool.
BEST: Gas stove with an electronic ignition for both range and
stove saves 50 percent more than electric and 30 percent more
than gas with pilot lights.

In a gas stove, the range and the oven are ignited separately.
Some stoves with electronic ignition for the range have a 500-watt
electric glow bar for the oven, which uses a lot of energy. The glow
bar comes on first and heats up to the temperature needed to ignite
the gas, which takes thirty to sixty seconds. When the oven reaches
the desired temperature, the glow bar turns off and the flame goes off
about twenty seconds later. This cycle repeats to maintain the temper-
ature of the oven.
An oven has a glow bar if you turn it on and there s a long delay
before you hear the whoosh of the flame coming on. You may be able
to see a reflection of the orange glow in the oven. Look for a stove
with electronic ignition instead.