Appliance buyers should 'plan before shopping'
21/05/2008
Those looking to buy energy-efficient appliances should consider a number of factors before heading out to the shops, warns an expert.
Celia Lehrman, deputy home editor of Consumer Reports, said that considering the age of your current appliances before buying a new one is a good first step, reports the Washington Post.
"The older it is, the more likely it is a candidate for replacing," she said, but also checking the energy rating of your current appliance can help to improve savings with future purchases.
Ensuring your old appliances can be recycled or disposed of carefully is essential for the eco conscious, to avoid them heading to a landfill site.
Some charities like the Salvation Army will reuse the old appliance, or some shops will recycle the machine to reduce its carbon footprint, said the newspaper.
Those considering buying new fridges or washing machines should not be concerned if it only makes a small change to their energy bill, as "even a small change makes a very large change when you're thinking about millions of units across the country," said Ms Lehrman.
Heather Goss, a writer for Washintonian.com, recently said that buying appliances requires flexibility and needs research.
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