As part of your green home renovations consider energy savings which can be achieved through any appliance purchases which are made. Here are a few items to consider:
Refrigerators & Freezers
- Both are large consumers of electricity, freezers more so.
- The most commonly used upright combination units loose much of the cold air contained in them each time the doors are opened.
- Chest freezers are more efficient and could be considered in combination with a standalone refrigerator.
- Operating at -15 to -18 degrees freezers are more energy intensive than refrigerators operating at 3-5 degrees celcius.
- Energy efficient alternatives:
- Mt Best chest freezer to refrigerator conversion
- Solazone highly efficient fridge freezers
- Compare models at EnergyRatings.gov.au
Televisions
- LED is preferable to LCD as it uses up to 40% less power for the same size display.
- More information:
- Compare models at EnergyRatings.gov.au
Kettles
- Kettles use a relatively large amount of power but for a relatively short amount of time.
- One of the major inefficiencies is that most often more water is boiled than is used (ie 3 cups boiled when only a single cup is required).
- Try filling your existing kettle with a measured number of cups of water, or use on of the following options which only boil a single cup at a time:
Computers
- Laptops typically use significantly less power than desktop computers.
- There is a near 50% inefficiency in charging a battery, so keep you laptop plugged into the charger whenever possible.
Battery chargers
- The Apple AA battery charger claims to use significantly less power than average charges.
Soda Water makers
- Instead of transporting carbonated water using disposable/recycleable packaging, consider making your own at home using tap water.
- SodaStream have a range of inexpensive soda water makers that can pay for themselves within 1-2 years.
Dishwashers
- Contrary to popular belief automatic dishwashers in many cases consume less water than manually washing dishes.
- Look for models which allow you to connect a hot water supply if you have an efficient hot water heater such as solar or heat pump.
- Consider the Fisher & Paykel dish drawer range which lets you run half loads.
- Buy online from Appliances online
- Compare models at EnergyRatings.gov.au
Washing machines
- Front loaders consume less water than top loaders
- Wash with cold water to save energy
- Compare models at EnergyRatings.gov.au
Clothes Dryers
- Save your clothes and energy at the same time by not using them.
- Tips on efficient use of clothes dryers
- Compare models at EnergyRatings.gov.au
Drying racks
- Especially in houses with high ceilings consider a ceiling mounted clothes drying rack
