CasaSugar

Ask Casa: An Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer?

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:00:09 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,

I'm going to have my first baby in August, and my mom wants to gift me a washer and a dryer to help me with all of the added laundry. I'm really grateful, but I'm not sure where to start looking. I know that I want something that's Energy Star rated, can be separated or stackable, and has a good warranty. Since my house is pretty small, I'd also like to have something that's not that big. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jen

To see my advice for Jen, read more.

Hi Jen,

Congratulations on the new baby, and the generous soon-to-be grandmommy! A new washer and dryer should definitely help to make your life a little easier once your baby arrives, and I'm glad to see that you're interested in getting an energy-efficient set.

You'll definitely want to get a front-load washer. Why? Since front-load washers don't use an agitator (the post in the middle of top-loading machines) you can get more laundry in there - an average of 30 percent more. They also have a high-speed, high-efficiency extractor, which means your clothes come out of the washer dryer than they would from a top-loading machine. They're gentler on clothes, quieter, and are often stackable. In addition, they're much more energy- and water-efficient, using half as much water as top loaders. And while I recommend using cold water cycles whenever possible, if you have to use hot water, front-loading machines use almost 70 percent less electricity to heat the water.

So, what machine do I recommend for you? I'm going to go with the Maytag Neptune MAH2400 ($750).It's pretty darn small, at just about two feet wide and deep and 34 inches high, but boasts a large, 2.4 cubic feet capacity (the equivalent of 16 bath towels). It's part of Maytag's QuietSeries 300, which means it won't wake up Baby while you're tossing in laundry during naptime. It also comes with a warranty, can be stacked, and has a high-efficiency wash system. And yes, it's Energy Star qualified.

Why a Maytag? Well, if your mom buys this machine by the end of the month, she can save big bucks. Maytag appliances are eligible for an up to $600 rebate through the Energy Star program.

You can, of course, pair this washer with the Maytag Neptune Electric Dryer ($700), but since dryer technology hasn't improved nearly as much as washer technology, it's not as much of an urgent issue. Since these two machines are matched, they will stack easily. However, whenever you can, be as eco-efficient as possible and dry your clothes on a clothesline.

If you're not interested in the Maytag, I've also included some stackable machines in the widget below. Good luck with your new baby and your new washer and dryer!

Congratulations,
Casa

Amana 3.5 Cu. Ft. Super Capacity Front Load Washer - $598.00	GE Profile 4.2 IEC Cu. Ft. Colossal Capacity Front Load Washer - $999.00
Maytag Neptune® 2.4 Cu. Ft. Large Capacity Compact Front Load Washer - $749.00	Speed 27" Stacked Electric Washer/Dryer with 3.3 cu. ft. Washer, 7.0 cu. ft. Dryer, 8 Wash Cycles, 3 Dry Cycles, 500/650/1000 RPM Spin Speed and Centrally Located Controls - $2,199.00
Bosch 27" Front Load Washer with 3.81 cu. ft. Capacity, 11 Wash Cycles, Energy Consumption of 146 kWh/year and Spin Speed of 800 RPMs - $639.00	Whirlpool 27" Front-Load Washer with 3.7 cu. ft. Capacity, 10 Wash Cycles, 4 Temperature Options, Built-in Heater, 1,100 RPM Spin Speed and CEE III Energy Star Rating - $769.00
Speed 27" Stacked Gas Washer/Dryer with 8 Wash Cycles, 3 Dry Cycles, Automatic Dry Cycles, Extra Rinse, Quiet Efficient Blower & ENERGY STAR Qualified Washer - $2,299.00	Speed 27" Front Load Washer with 8 Cycles, ADA Compliant, ENERGY STAR Qualified & Rear Control - $1,599.00

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Casa Quickie: Energy Star and Affordable

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:30:44 -0800

Think you can't afford energy-efficient appliances? Try this tactic: through Energy Star's website, you can locate rebates for appliances or technologies, such as solar panels, that you want to add to your home. Just type in your zip code, click the upgraded appliances you're looking for, and the search tool will locate rebates on these products. While the rebates may not be huge, when they're combined with other sale offers, such as Sears's current appliance sale, you can save yourself a lot of green, while going green at the same time. Source

Casa Verde: Ronald McDonald House Goes Green

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:00:20 -0700

While I may have some criticisms of LEED, the USGBC green building program, there's no question that the program is an important step in the right direction. Hopefully, thanks to green building guidelines and programs, green building will someday soon become a standard part of any construction project, and not an afterthought.

Austin, TX, has the oldest regional green building program in the country, with its Energy Star program established in 1985, and the green building program evolving from it six years later. Now, the city's Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing for families whose children are suffering from serious illnesses has been recognized for its new, healthy, and green building.

Austin is now home to the first green Ronald McDonald House in the world. It's also is the first building in Austin and only the third in the state of Texas to attain the highest level of green building recognition awarded by LEED - the Platinum certification.

To find out the green features of this house, read more.

Toxin-free building materials were used throughout construction and finishes.
Rehabilitation of a brownfield site means that no undeveloped land was used for this project.
The sod roof systems replaces greenery used in construction, while also controlling heat island effect. Rooftop gardens also are a place for guests to sit, visit, and relax.
Native landscaping reduces needs for water.
A 10.5 KW photovoltaic solar panel system will produce enough electricity for 15 of the 30 rooms.
Use of daylighting minimizes electricity for lighting while providing natural sunlight for guests.
Natural ventilation improves air quality, helping children with compromised immune systems.
Construction of air handling system minimizes shared air in guestrooms, also improving air quality.

If you're interested in finding out more about Austin's Ronald McDonald House, read all about it here.

View 5 Photos ›

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Tax Cuts for Going Green

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:00:22 -0800

The federal government wants to give you a little incentive to go green.
Until Dec. 31, you can save up to $500 in consumer tax credits when you buy energy-saving products such as high-efficiency furnaces, water heaters, windows, and insulation.

Even after the end of the year, you can get reimbursed for up to $2,000 for solar upgrades. Products include solar water heaters and photovoltaic roof panels, and this incentive is good through Dec. 31, 2008.

For a complete breakdown of all of the tax incentives, just head over to the Energy Star site.

Kenmore's High-Efficiency Washer

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:47:43 -0700

The washer at our house has been on the fritz for a while. It's an obscure, European brand, and while it has some awesome features (requires hardly any detergent, frontloading, highly water- and energy-efficient), the fact that there's only one repair company in the entire San Francisco Bay Area that will service it, and that the repair company routinely charges $150 every time we have it fixed, is making me consider changing machines.

I was further tempted when I read about the Barolo Kenmore washer. This 4.0 cu. ft. front-load washer uses SteamCare technology, which pretty much eliminates the need for pre-treating. The washer is also Energy Star-qualified, using 77% less energy & 73% less water than other machines. On average, it only uses 151 Kilowatt hours per year, as compared to the 420 kilowatt hours/year used by the top-loading Kenmore Elite Oasis machine.

This machine isn't cheap-it's several hundred dollars more expensive than most other washing machines, though it's $100.00 off through October 4th, selling for $1599.99.

But you know what's most cool of all? Dr. Jane Goodall is endorsing them.

Cool Idea: A Fan That Ventilates and Warms

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:30:55 -0700

One of my least favorite things about chilly Fall mornings is stepping into a freezing bathroom to take a shower. Since I live in the Bay Area, we seldom turn on our central heating, so more often than not, the bathroom feels like an icebox.

Instead of using a space heater, I’m thinking about adding an exhaust vent fan with a heater. This will not only warm the bathroom, but also improve indoor-air quality by circulating the air and removing odors and contaminants. One fan that I’ve had my eye on is the WhisperWarm ventilation fan by Panasonic Home & Environment Company. It’s quiet, lightweight, compact, and comes with an optional light and nightlight that uses CFLs.

Looking for a simple, eco-exhaust fan that doesn't heat? Then check out the WhisperGreen Energy Star-rated fan. The WhisperGreen uses a super-efficient DC motor, and comes with variable 2-speed and delay timer controls built-in or as a single-speed fans. All WhisperGreen models exhaust fans comply with Green building IAQ standards.

Casa Verde: Ed Begley's Top 5 Ideas For Going Green at Home

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:00:31 -0700

Environmentalist extraordinaire and star of hit eco show Living With Ed, Ed Begley Jr. recently chatted with Green Muze about his ideas for green living. Ed also shared his ideas for the top five ways that people can go green. Many of them are surprisingly easy! Check out Ed's ideas below.

Get out of your car as much as you can. Walk, take public transportation, or ride a bike as much as you can.
Get energy-efficient lighting for your house. The earth and your wallet will both thank you.
Put weather stripping up around your doors and windows, making your home tight and efficient.
Start a compost container or pile, and use it for starting a home garden - it will deliver great food through a great pastime. If you live in an apartment, get part of a community garden!
Practice the 3 Rs - reduce, reuse, recycle.

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Coveted Crib: Neal Creek Retreat

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:00:51 -0700

Usually, when I share photos of a gorgeous modern home with you, there's little hope of actually staying at that place in real life. Not so with the Neal Creek residence. Located near Hood River, OR, this two-bedroom home is actually available for rent.

Architects Paul McKean and Amy Donohue designed this house to make a minimal impact on the environment. The house's main living space is raised one story above ground, which helps to protect it from flood and brush fire damage while providing patio and storage space below. A green roof helps the home to blend into the landscape.

To find out more about this house, and to take a full tour, read more.

The house makes use of renewable, local materials, including cedar siding and cabinetry and an FSC-certified wood floor, finished with vegetable wax. The carpet tiles are composed of natural wool and rubber, and all interior finishes are no-VOC. With Energy Star-certified appliances and highly energy-efficient windows, the home is comfortable and cozy no matter what the season. The Neal Creek Retreat was awarded the 2007 honor award from the American Institute of Architects, Portland.

View 15 Photos ›

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Casa Verde: A CFL That Looks (and Lights) Like an Incandescent

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:00:17 -0700

I've been pushing you to try CFLs for a long time, but I know that some of you are hesitant to do so given their look, as well as some conceptions about their light quality. While the light quality has definitely improved across the board, the funky spiral shape still turns some of you off. If that's the case, you'll be happy to hear that several of the bulbs in the GE Energy Smart line are now masquerading as incandescents. Their familiar, round shape should satisfy the anti-spiral crowd, and the 10,000-hour life of the bulb and its Energy Star compliance will help assure you that you're still living eco, even if the bulb doesn't look like your standard CFL.

To check out the bulb, read more.
Interested in trying one out? Then head to your local Ace Hardware to pick up a GE Energy Smart CFL ($6.49).

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Coveted Crib: An Austin Green Home

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:00:47 -0700

When planning a new home, the owners of a home in Texas wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous views in the neighborhood. Thus, a three-story, 3,100-square-foot home was envisioned for a steep hillside in Austin. The public areas of the home, such as the living and dining areas, are located on the top floor, where the family and guests can gaze out at the stunning views. The house's expansive glass walls not only encourage gazing, but also provide natural lighting for the home, minimizing the use of electricity.

This home's cutting-edge look and smart, eco design shows that green building is compatible with any number of designs, whether they be traditional or modern.

For many more photos, as well as information on the green features of the home, read more.

Rated a four-star (out of a possible five stars) project by the Austin Energy Green Building Rating System, the home boasts a number of green features in the design itself, including passive heating and cooling and daylighting. Water-saving features include low-flush toilets and waterwise landscaping, and electricity is saved through the use of fluorescent lighting, a high-efficiency water pump, and Energy Star-compliant washer, dishwasher, and refrigerator. The home also used low formaldehyde insulation, double pane LowE windows, sustainable lumber, and non-toxic/low-VOC finishes and paints.

View 16 Photos ›

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BioBags - Kitchen Compost Liner - set of 3 - $18.00	Ceramic Compost Filters, Set of 2 - $8.50
Indoor Composter - $399.00	Compost Pails - $39.95
Rezek by Artemide Ariel Floor Lamp - $275.00	Urbancase Station Pendant Lamp - $150.00
HOM - Escape In Style Thuma Table Lantern - $432.00	Sutter 1-Light Outdoor Sconce - $119.00
Gemini Plus Copper Solar Light - $24.99	Winslow 1-Light Energy Star® Outdoor Sconce - $119.00