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Tips on buying appliances(Gulf News (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Experts share pointers on how to make choices Dubai Mashood Rahman of Johnson Controls and Robin Kadayan, general manager of home appliances at Samsung Gulf Electronics, give Gulf News more detailed guidelines on buying specific appliances: Refrigerator Get the right size. Unless they host a lot of parties, a childless couple typically needs only a 10 to 12-cubic-foot refrigerator and 4-cubic-foot freezer. You will have better chances at saving if you pick a refrigerator with freezers on top than a side-by-side model. The larger the unit, the greater the electricity consumed. However, a big model uses less energy than two smaller units with the same total volume, or a smaller fridge plus a separate freezer. Also, go for a product that has LED lighting inside. LEDs don't generate heat inside the fridge, unlike the conventional light bulbs. Clothes washers Choose front-loading machines over top-loading or twin tub units. Front loaders consume a lot less electricity and water. Don't forget the size. A smaller washer may be more efficient for small households, but a large family may need a bigger one. Look for a washer with adjustable water levels, so you have the option to use less water when washing small loads. A washer with a faster spin speed is also more efficient, as it allows more water to be removed after the wash, thus drying time and energy use are reduced. Dishwasher The standard 24-inch dishwasher is a good option for a family of four or more. A larger family may need a 30-inch dishwasher. Couples, singles and small families or those who have limited kitchen space can choose a compact 18-inch dishwasher. Air-conditioner Highly recommended are those with more efficient compressors, fan motors and heat transfer surfaces than previous models. Again, small areas may not require the biggest unit. A smaller unit running for long periods operates more efficiently than a larger unit that goes on and off frequently. Choose the one with the highest Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). This can be found on the unit or its packaging. The minimum EER required by federal law is 9.7. The most efficient air conditioners of 2003 have an EER of 11.7 Split air-conditioners could be a good choice as they provide faster and better cooling than the window type ones. Light bulbs Go for an "Energy Star" qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), as it uses about 75 per cent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and lasts up to 10 times longer. It produces about 75 per cent less heat, so it's safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling. Consider 18-watt lamps instead of 20-watt lamps or 36-watt lamps instead of 40 watts. Television While some say LED TVs are the most energy-efficient, LCDs are a better option compared to CRT or plasma screens. guidelines (c) 2011 Al Nisr Publishing LLC . All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |