Archive for the ‘Energy Efficiency’ Category
May 9, 2011
The biggest step toward making your house energy efficient is choosing Energy Star appliances. Energy Star appliances offer 10-50% energy savings compared to standard, new appliances.
So, I’m not even talking how much energy savings you’ll get from unplugging your decade-or-so old refrigerators, washers, freezers and dishwashers.
But just because Energy Star only rates those four appliance categories, doesn’t mean you can’t be energy efficient on your stove and dryer, for instance.
Here are six ways to further reduce your energy bill by staying mindful of ways you can save on home energy use.
1. Stop rinsing your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, which wastes up to 20 gallons of water. Energy Star dishwashers use only 4 gallons of water on average.
2. Water heating consumes about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut energy use in half. Using the cold cycle reduces energy use even more.
3. Use the moisture sensor option on your dryer, which automatically shuts off the machine when clothes are dry, saving energy and reducing wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.
4. Choose the right-sized pot on stove burners and keep it covered to cook more efficiently and keep your kitchen cooler.
5. Move your refrigerator away from the stove, dishwasher, or heat vents. Make sure the door seals are airtight. Also, keep your refrigerator and freezer stocked to hold temperature better and operate more efficiently.
6. Microwaves only use about half as much electricity as regular ovens, so using them is already a smart alternative. But you can save even more energy if you defrost food in the refrigerator instead of the microwave and cook food in its serving dish save the cost of the water used to do twice as many dishes.
Tags:Appliances, energy efficiency, energy efficient, Energy Star, home energy use
Posted in Dryer, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, Microwave, Ranges, Refrigerator, Sustainability, Washer | Comments Off
May 5, 2011
When choosing our returning spot for this year’s Living Green Expo, we went with our gut…and headed straight for the food.
I have a feeling you might, too.
This Saturday and Sunday at the State Fairgrounds, watch (and taste) live cooking demonstrations by top local chefs on the Warners’ Stellian Celebrity Chefs stage in the 4-H building, part of the Local Chefs, Local Food experience.
Chefs like Scott Pampuch of Corner Table and other favorites like Birchwood Cafe, Common Roots and Chef Shack will be cooking on stage while talking about what local food means to their cooking.
Just west of the audience area of the stage, come visit us to find out how you can enter to win $5,000 in LG appliances by completing the Living Green Challenge.
Products are for representation only (we figured you'd want to pick your own stuff!).
Basically, you learn about living more sustainably by visiting different Living Green Expo exhibits and collect stamps in each category. Once your challenge card is completed, drop it in our high efficiency top load LG washer (yes, I said top load washer).
You can also talk to our appliance experts about the latest models’ energy- and water-saving technology and our own award-winning recycling program.
Tags:Energy Star, LG appliances, Living Green Expo, local food, recycling
Posted in About Warners' Stellian, cooking, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, Food, Sustainability | Comments Off
May 2, 2011
Induction burners heat only magnetic surfaces (like cookware) and nothing else.
While visiting a home in my neighborhood on the Minneapolis – St. Paul Home Tour yesterday, a tour representative said this homeowner’s renovation included switching from an electric stove to a gas stove and how much the representative wished she had a gas stove top in her own home.
“Well, what about induction?” I asked her.
It’s no longer just a choice between gas or electric stoves; homeowners with electric hookups can enjoy all the power of gas plus more responsiveness.
What do you lose with induction? All the wasteful energy loss. Cooking with induction is 70% more efficient than gas and 20% more efficient than electric.
Clean up is easier than smooth top gas ranges because spills don’t burn onto the surface. You can stick a hundred-dollar bill between an induction burner element and a pot of boiling water without worry
Why? Induction burners only heat magnetic surfaces (so you’ll know if your pots and pans are compatible if a magnet sticks to the bottom!), which also make induction cooktops popular choices for kid- and pet-safe kitchens.
Due to its recent rise in popularity (induction has been around since the ’70s but only took off recently), brands now make induction ranges in addition to induction cooktops.
More chefs and gourmet cooks are choosing induction; we put a Thermador induction cooktop in Midtown Global Market’s Kitchen in the Market just this year. I can’t wait to see more people delight in the ability to cook like they’re using gas without the cost and hassle of switching from electric.
Tags:electric stove top, energy efficiency, gas cooktop, induction, induction cooktop, Kitchen in the Market, Thermador
Posted in Cleaning, cooking, Cooktops, Energy Efficiency, Innovative Features, Ranges | 3 Comments »
March 16, 2011
Those who’ve been on the Parade of Homes tour know the fun of imagining their own dream home, and perhaps even building it.
Hanley Wood just rated three Minnesota counties within its top 10 of 25 counties for remodeling potential in 2011, but there’s something to be said for new homes.
Not only are they just plain new with style and amenities unavailable elsewhere, they offer unparalleled options for energy efficiency.
From the tour:
All Minnesota new homes are constructed to some of the strictest energy standards in the nation. But some go a step beyond. That’s what our new Energy Efficient Home Tour is all about. The Parade of Homes is showcasing those homes that are proven energy savers, in which the builder has taken an added measure to ensure that they perform to even tighter energy standards.
While some are certified ENERGY STAR®, MN GreenStar, LEED-H, or Wisconsin Green Build, all have been rated by an independent firm to verify that they are, indeed, energy-efficient homes.
Energy efficient doesn’t mean inaccessible. EEHT homes begin as low as a $138,000 townhouse in Rosemount.
And, if you visit an Energy Tour home, pick up a special coupon good at Warners’ Stellian for 10% off Select ENERGY STAR appliances and cooking appliances. Offer good on orders $499.95 through April 30 (restrictions apply). ENERGY STAR appliances use up to 50% less energy and water than standard new appliances, saving you money in the long run even though they usually cost a little bit extra at the time of purchase.
Tags:coupon, energy efficiency, Energy Star, Energy Star appliances, new homes, Parade of Homes, Warners' Stellian
Posted in About Warners' Stellian, Budget-wise, Cash for Appliances, Discount appliances, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, Events | Comments Off
February 2, 2011
This post is the latest in the series “How long do appliances last?” They’re written in a style I learned in journalism, called “By The Numbers,” which was often just another way to say “I need to take up space and do something visual.” Voila.
10
The number of years in the average dishwasher’s lifespan, according to data published by Appliance Magazine in 2010. The life span reflects how long the first owner of a dishwasher owned it, which doesn’t necessarily mean that it broke down.
215
The number of cycles washed annually by the average dishwasher, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That’s a little over four cycles per week.
4
How many gallons of water an Energy Star dishwasher uses per cycle.That’s 860 gallons annually.
6
How many gallons of water a standard dishwasher uses per cycle. That’s 1,290 gallons annually.
20
Up to this many gallons of water are wasted by well-meaning homeowners still stuck on pre-rinsing their dishes. Repeat after me: scrape, don’t rinse!
$550
Average price of an Energy Star dishwasher, according to national retail data from 2009.
$538
Average price of a standard dishwasher in 2009.
1.5
Amount of years it takes for the lower operations costs (assuming gas water heating) of an Energy Star dishwasher to make up, or “pay back,” for the initial sticker price difference.
10%/$54
Overall savings of an Energy Star dishwasher over its expected lifetime (assuming electric water heating).
Tags:Appliances, By The Numbers, dishwashers, Energy Star, lifespan, watersense
Posted in Appliance Design, Dishwashers, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, Sustainability | 1 Comment »
January 26, 2011
This post is the latest in the series “How long do appliances last?” They’re written in a style I learned in journalism, called “By The Numbers,” which was often just another way to say “I need to take up space and do something visual.” Voila.
12
The number of years in the average refrigerator’s lifespan, according to data published by Appliance Magazine in 2010. The life span reflects how long the first owner of a refrigerator used it, which doesn’t necessarily mean that it broke down.
14.75
Amount cubic feet of fresh food storage space in the average refrigerator, based on all active models in 2009.
6.76
Cubit feet of average amount of freezer space, based on all active models in 2009. Guess that means the average refrigerator unit is just under 22 cu. ft.
$1,180
Average price of Energy Star refrigerators in 2009.
$1,150
Average price of a standard refrigerator in 2009 (not much difference, eh?).
2.8
Amount of years it takes for the lower operations costs of an Energy Star refrigerator to make up, or “pay back,” for the initial sticker price difference.
$71
Net savings (energy savings minus initial higher cost) of an Energy Star refrigerator over its expected lifetime of 12 years.
Tags:Appliance Magazine, Energy Star, lifespan, refrigerators
Posted in Appliance Design, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, Refrigerator | 5 Comments »
January 24, 2011
This post is the latest in the series “How long do appliances last?” They’re written in a style I learned in journalism, called “By The Numbers,” which was often just another way to say “I need to take up space and do something visual.” Voila.
11
The number of years in an average washing machine’s life span, according to data published by Appliance Magazine in 2010. The life span reflects how long the first owner of a washer used it, which doesn’t necessarily mean that it broke down, but it still offers a fair estimate for today’s shoppers.
392
The number of loads washed annually by the average washer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That’s about seven and a half loads per week.
$750
Average price of an Energy Star washer, according to national retail data from 2009.
$492
Average price of a standard washing maching in 2009.
4.7
Amount of years it takes for the lower operations costs of an Energy Star washer to make up, or “pay back,” for the initial sticker price difference.
30%
Overall savings of an Energy Star washer over its expected lifetime.
Tags:Appliance Magazine, Appliances, By The Numbers, Clothes washers, Department of Energy, Energy Star, Washing machines
Posted in Appliance Design, Budget-wise, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, FAQ, Washer | 1 Comment »
December 13, 2010
This is an outdated picture of my kitchen, but you get the idea.
I’m replacing my 15-year-old refrigerator this month with a more roomy, smarter-designed and better-looking new fridge.
Best of all, it’s an Energy Star refrigerator, which means that it uses at least 20 percent less energy than a non-Energy Star fridge. Plus, although Energy Star refrigerators generally cost more upfront, you should consider overall cost of the appliance — which includes how much energy it uses compared to other models.
Energy Star estimates that over the lifetime of your refrigerator, you will cut your energy bills by $165 versus if you used an non-Energy Star model.
So think of how much you save when you unplug the refrigerator you’re using right now? Actually, see the handy chart below.
So my fridge from the ’90s costs about $97 per year compared to an Energy Star refrigerator, which uses an average of $48, according to this chart. (And actually, my new fridge is 10 percent better than the Energy Star standards; its energy use is estimated to cost about $43 per year.)
Obviously, I have to buy the new fridge, but I’ve budgeted for that. Now, what will I do with the $50? Better question: what will do with the $600 in usage cost savings I’ll realize over the average life (12 years) of my refrigerator?
Tags:energy efficiency, Energy Star, Maytag, refrigerator
Posted in Budget-wise, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, Refrigerator, Sustainability | Comments Off
November 17, 2010
A little after 10:30 this morning, the $717,000 of unused appliance rebate funds were fully claimed, according to www.mnappliancerebate.com.
Those who didn’t get one of the nearly 4,000 second-chance appliance rebates can take a spot on the wait list and hope that someone doesn’t cash in for the up to $200 being offered for a purchase of an Energy Star appliance.
From the website:
Thank you for your interest in the Minnesota “Trade-in & Save” Appliance Rebate Program. Currently, all rebate funds for this program have been reserved. However, you may choose to add your name to a waiting list. In the event additional funds become available, wait listed rebate applications will be processed in the order they are received. To add your name to the waiting list, complete the online reservation, print your confirmation page and follow the instructions listed on the confirmation page. Qualifying purchases made on or after March 1, 2010 are eligible for a rebate. Please note that you must make the appliance purchase before applying for the rebate.
That’s all she wrote.
I hope our customers got the lion’s share of these rebates. And being that they’re smart enough to buy from us, I’m confident that they did 
Did any of you get one this morning? How did you find out about the relaunch?
Tags:Appliances, Cash for Appliances, dishwasher, Energy Star, freezer, mnappliancerebate, rebates, refrigerator, Stimulus, washer
Posted in Budget-wise, Cash for Appliances, Discount appliances, Energy Efficiency | Comments Off
November 17, 2010
The State of Minnesota Trade-in & Save Appliance Rebate Program relaunched today to hand out about $717,000 in unused funds to customers who didn’t get a rebate reservation in March.
If you bought an ENERGY STAR appliance on or after March 1, you could be eligible for a rebate of up to $200 from the State of Minnesota!
To get your rebate, go to www.mnappliancerebate.com or call 1-877-230-9119. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, but you cannot apply for a rebate until you have made an eligible purchase. So you better hurry, before you miss out for the second time! (At the time of this blog, more than $500,000 in rebate funds remained, with about one-quarter being used.)
Tags:Appliances, Cash for Appliances, dishwasher, energy efficient, Energy Star, freezer, MN Trade-In & Save, mnappliancerebate, refrigerator, washer
Posted in Budget-wise, Cash for Appliances, Energy Efficiency, Events | 1 Comment »
