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Does your clothes dryer need life-support?

02.25.2008

Submitted by tmeronek on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 1:44am.
The Bite:
Repair man - stat! But wait: Before ringing up your favorite fix-it guy, you should know that you can save energy and cash if you replace certain outdated, energy-sucking, water-wasting appliances with newer Energy Star appliances. Get your diagnosis here.
The Benefits: 
  • Oxygen therapy. If just 1 in 10 U.S. homes used Energy Star-qualified appliances, it'd be equivalent to planting 1.7 mil acres of trees, thanks to less pollution.
  • More money for doctors' bills. Repairs should cost less than half of the price of a new appliance; otherwise, it's usually more cost-effective to replace them. And thanks to new energy and water standards, new appliances may save you money on bills.
  • Bandaging sometimes works. If getting more energy-efficient isn't in the budget this time around, at least you'll send less stuff to the landfill.
Personally Speaking: 
When Jen replaced her 20-yr-old kitchen appliances last year, she couldn't find the Energy Star 'fridge she wanted in her price range. But she did choose one with a bottom freezer - a more energy-efficient config than side-by-side models.
Wanna Try: 
What you should repair:
  • Clothes Dryers - replace pre-1994 models, but as long as you don't overdry, it's more cost-effective to just repair.
  • Ovens - repair, but note for ranges: If you are buying new anyway, go with gas, not electric (it'll cut stove-cooking costs in half).

What you should replace:
  • A/Cs - Energy Star room A/Cs use at least 10% less energy than conventional models.
  • Clothes Washers - if replacing, consider an Energy Star top-loader or front-loader model to cut energy and water use by over 40%.
  • Dishwashers - Energy Star dishwashers use a lot less H2O and at least 41% less energy than the federal minimum standard.
  • Refrigerators - Energy Star-qualified fridges use at least 15% less energy than the current federal standard. And refrigerators with top-mounted freezers use about 20% less energy than side-by-side models.
  • Small Electronics - these aren't Energy Star-certified, and repairing often costs more than 50% of the price for new, so usually it's better just to replace (but be sure to recycle the parts).
  • Water Heaters - Energy Star also doesn't yet certify these, but new gas (not electric) water heaters save major energy; just set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees F or lower. Or go tankless to save 45%-60% on water heating energy.
  • Energy Star At-Home - great tool that helps you find ways to save energy at home.
  • Yelp - search and get user reviews for repair shops in your 'hood.
  • Earth911 - find a local spot to recycle your electronics waste.
  • ARCA, CSG, and JACO - services in a few states will pick up and recycle your old fridge, freezer, and/or A/C (and you might even make some cash).
  • RepairClinic - DIY tips for repairing home appliances.

Statistics reviewed by Energy Star Communications Specialist Denise Durrett.
Therese Custer

Cocktail Fact

In a Pew Research Center survey, Americans rated clothes washers and dryers as the top can't-live-without appliances, followed by A/C.

Bang For The Bite

If 10,000 Biters replace one outdated appliance with an Energy Star version, in a year we'll save a collective $800,000 on our energy bills.

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