Selecting the Proper Dishwasher Refrigerator and Freezer for Your Kitchen

When purchasing major appliances besides determining how much you are able to spend, you will need to decide how many features and which options that you want and really need.  For refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers, look for quietness and energy efficiency of the different models and manufactures.  Always check the yellow Energy Guide label.  The Energy Guide label indicates how much energy the model uses, compares the energy use of similar models, and approximates annual operating costs of the appliances.    If standard model serves the purpose, don’t waste extra money on a higher priced model.  More new gadgets mean more opportunities for breakdowns.

Dishwasher:

• Choose the right size for your household needs.  Standard capacity models hold more than 8 place settings and 6 serving pieces.  Compact capacity models hold 8 place settings and 6 pieces or less.  If you have to operate a compact model more frequently, you may actually use more energy than you would with a standard model over time.
• Choose a dishwasher with several wash cycle selections.  If your dishes are only slightly soiled, you can use a light or energy saving wash cycle which uses less water and operate for a shorter period of time.
• A sanitization option that increases the water temperature above the typical 140 degrees F does not necessarily clean better.
• Run your dishwasher with a full load.  Most of the energy used by a dishwasher goes to heat the water.  Since you can’t decrease the amount of water used per cycle, fill the dishwasher to get the most from the energy used to run it.
• Avoid using the heat-dry, rinse-hold, and pre-rinse features.  Instead use your dishwasher’s air dry option.

Refrigerators and Freezers:

• Purchase an appropriate sized refrigerator or freezer model for your needs.  Generally, the energy uses depend on the cubic feet of the appliances, the larger the refrigerator or freezer model, the greater the energy consumption.  The most energy-efficient refrigerator models are typically 16-20 cubic feet.  The most energy efficient freezer models are typically chest freezer.
• Consider buying a refrigerator model with a top freezer.  Top freezer models use 10-25% less energy to run than side-by-side models.
• Consider doing without an ice-maker and dispenser.  Automatic ice-makers and through the door dispensers increase the energy use by 15-20% and raise the purchase price by about $75-250.
• Look for a refrigerator with automatic moisture control.  Model with this feature have been engineered to prevent moisture accumulation on the cabinet exterior without the addition of a heater.  This is not the same as “anti-sweat” heater.  Models with “anti-sweat” heater will consume 5-10% more energy than models without this feature.
• Manual defrost models use half the energy of the automatic defrost models but they must be defrosted periodically.  Frost build-up increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running.  Don’t allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
• In most households, the refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming kitchen appliance.  You can reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator or freezer uses by position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher or direct sunlight from a window.
• To allow air to circulate around the condenser coils, have a space between the wall or cabinets and the refrigerator or freezer and keep the coils clean.
• Make sure the door seals are airtight.
• Keep your refrigerator temperature setting between 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit and keep your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open.
• Recycle older or second refrigerators.  Refrigerators made before 1993 use more than twice the energy of a newer model.

New dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers are 200 percent more efficient than models manufactured earlier than 1993.  With a little bit of preventive maintenance and common sense practices, your appliances can last 10 to 20 years.  And by selecting energy efficient features and models, you will also help conserve energy uses in your household.