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According to Whirlpool Corporation, it is unnecessary to pre-rinse dishes when using the dishwasher. By skipping this step, consumers can save up to 20 gallons of water per dishwasher load.
A Harris Interactive survey, conducted on behalf of Whirlpool Corporation, recently revealed that consumers want to make a habit out of saving time, money and energy when it comes to home appliances.
According to the survey, 75 percent of consumers between 18 and 37 years old have already taken “green” steps but are looking to do more to save energy, water and money. Sixty-five percent of consumers already use ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, 36 percent purchase green products when possible, and 15 percent actually seek out green products, according to the survey.
“We are not surprised to see that consumers are devoted to living an energy-efficient lifestyle,” says Monica Teague, Senior PR Manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “Whirlpool is constantly innovating new products that conserve water and reduce energy consumption in order to help consumers live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.”
Survey findings further revealed that 49 percent of consumers would consider paying more money for an appliance if it would reduce their utility bills and allow them to save money over time. Replacing appliances that were made before 2000 with ENERGY STAR-qualified products can help save on both energy and water costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a washer and refrigerator made before 2000 with new ENERGY STAR-qualified models can save up to $135 and $40 each year, respectively.
While 78 percent of consumers are interested in monitoring their household’s energy use, they’d like more information on how to save. A quarter of those interested in saving are not at all aware of the energy and water usage of their appliances, according to the survey.
If you are not currently in the market for new home appliances but still looking for ways to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle, Whirpool Corporation offers tips on how you can more efficiently use the appliances you already have at home:
- According to the survey, 87 percent still pre-rinse their dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. By scraping and skipping pre-rinsing, consumers can save up to 20 gallons of water per load, and by using the dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes, consumers can save up to 230 hours per year. (That’s a 10-day vacation!)
- Run your dishwasher, washer and dryer late in the evening to avoid the peak hours.
- Proper appliance maintenance, such as emptying the lint trap, vacuuming refrigerator coils and cleaning your washer on a regular basis, can help keep your appliances running efficiently.
- Use pots and pans with flat bottoms that fit the burners. A 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner wastes over 40 percent of that burner’s heat. Using the right-sized pot can save up to $36 annually for an electric range and $18 for a gas range.
- Don’t open the oven door during cooking; each time you open the door, your oven drops about 25 to 30 degrees of heat. Try cooking with a full oven, and, when possible, use the broiler, which uses less energy and does not require preheating.
