Eco-friendly appliances promise holiday savings

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

IT'S the time of year for merry making, but when the fireworks have ended and the fruit cake is finished, inflated electric bills are sure to sour the spirit of the season.

And the culprits? Environmentally incompatible appliances — those household electronics, whether engaged or merely plugged-in, which cause significant kilowatt usage resulting in a hike in energy bills and environmental waste.

Information out of the International Energy Agency (IEA), a French-based energy-solutions organisation, is that with the world's power costs on the rise, consumers need to take a more proactive approach to their consumption patterns. Electronics companies have, in return, responded with eco-friendly products tailored to conservation.

Stephen Chang — managing director of electronics magnate Appliance Traders Limited which boasts a complete line of energy-efficient products — said eco-friendly products save consumers almost a third of their energy costs.

"It's a fact that low-energy emission products not only curtail environmental waste, but also curb consumer-energy spend by at least 30 per cent," he said.

Chang added that outdated models ranging between the 10- to 15-year age bracket are not efficient and can drain electricity.

"A typical refrigerator with a top-mounted freezer made in the nineties uses twice the energy of a modern 'green' appliance. A more energy-efficient refrigerator would be Panasonic Steel Inverter model offering almost 40 per cent relief on JPS (Jamaica Public Service) electricity bills," he said.

In the case of eco-engineered dishwashers and washing machines, the newer models, including brands like Frigidaire, not only use less electricity, but they also use less water, saving the consumer money on both utility bills, Chang noted.

Similarly for air conditioning units, swapping an old one for an energy-star model immediately optimises savings.

"Panasonic manufactures excellent eco-friendly units that help detect unnecessary waste of energy. Their renowned intelligent inverter air conditioners run on minimal power with precise temperature control. By reducing wasteful cooling operation, Inverter Series can achieve up to 50 per cent less energy usage compared to the non-inverter units," he advised.

With everything from curling irons to microwaves adding to energy expenditure, Chang said eco-friendly electronics will yield significant monetary returns before the end of its lifespan.

"Consumers should certainly look to make environmentally-friendly choices when purchasing and using appliances as they literally pay for themselves in what they save on energy consumption and utility bills," he said.