Economical home appliances. Ecological devices are becoming more and more popular.

When buying a new washing machine, fridge or dishwasher, more and more often we choose ecological models. Here are some criteria to make your purchase easier.

Electricity consumption is the most important criterion for the ecological properties of household appliances. Each way of generating energy is a huge burden for the natural environment, therefore, the less we use it, the better.

Water consumption is equally important (in washing machines and dishwashers), the refrigerant and insulation material used in them (refrigerators) and chemical additives necessary for the operation of the device, such as salt and rinse aid for dishwashers, or washing powder. In addition, the device should be durable and not pose an ecological problem after its use.

The purchase of a given type of device should be determined not only by the amount of energy and water consumed, but also the degree of its adaptation – size and possibilities – to our household. Even the most energy-efficient freezer will use too much energy, if we only store weekly supplies for a family of two.

Among the huge number of types and models of devices available in stores, it is difficult to choose the most suitable one. A competent salesperson would be your best help, showing the advantages of subsequent devices impatiently. Let's also remember, that in the long run it is more profitable to buy a device that is more expensive, but more economical – especially when you can take advantage of a loan with a favorable interest rate.

Clean grille on the back of the refrigerator. Even proper cleaning can have an impact on the amount of electricity you use. By wiping off the dust that collects on the grill at the back of the refrigerator once or twice a year, by placing it in a well-ventilated place and adjusting the temperature in the refrigerator to about 7 ° C, we will reduce the amount of energy it consumes by approx 30%.

Washing machines

Modern washing machines use much less water and electricity than the previous generation models. Water consumption is reduced, e.g.. through a special system, in which, through the holes in the drum, the water flows from the top onto the washed laundry. Another system allows the water used for rinsing to be collected in a special tank and pumped back into the drum. All modern washing machines are already equipped with an economy washing program, designed for washing a smaller amount of linen. If they also have a lot of different programs, an appropriate program can be selected for each type of laundry in the drum, to be able to wash it so short and in such cool water, as possible. This is also a way to save energy.

Freezers

Modern freezers are also manufactured today without the use of FCKW or FKW as a refrigerant. It is these freezers that are the most ecological. The differences in power consumption are caused not only by the differences in the power of the devices, the way they are insulated and the differences in capacity, but also in different ways of using them. The more filled the freezer, the lower the cost of its use. In urban households, capacity is considered sufficient 60 do 80 l per person, in rural households – 100 do 130 l. The location of the freezer is also important – each ambient temperature requires a device adapted to it.

Microwave ovens

The microwave oven is intended for the preparation of small portions. For that, where there is no oven, a microwave oven with additional heaters is more practical. A device that uses electromagnetic waves is not a source of harmful radiation then, when the oven door opener is connected to the magnetron power switch, in which electromagnetic waves arise. Opening the door breaks the electric circuit and switches the oven off. VDE signs on the cookers, VDE / GS or TUV / GS guarantee, that the device complies with safety standards.

Dryers

Currently, there are two systems of drying linen in dryers. Air blown dryers draw in the ambient air with a fan, they heat them and lead them to the drum via a blower. The air takes the moisture away from the washed linen and carries it away to the environment. In condenser dryers, the air moves in a closed circuit. Takes moisture out of the drum, then it is cooled down to ambient temperature, and the condensing water is discharged into the tank. The air is then fed back into the drum. Air blown dryers use slightly less energy than condenser dryers.

Dishwashers

The small amounts of water and electricity they consume contribute to the steady growth in popularity of these devices in our homes. Their use may reduce electricity consumption by 6%, and water consumption by 47% compared to washing by hand – assuming, that the dishes do not need to be rinsed first. The washing agents are still an ecological burden, therefore they should be dosed more precisely. Much safer phosphate-free products are also becoming more and more popular. The amount of rinse aid used depends on the hardness of the water. You can do without rinsing the dishes, if we do not mind traces of water on their surface.

Water heaters

Boilers, termas, flow heaters with electronic or thermal control system, Electric kettles or central heating boilers are devices for heating water for various purposes. Which one is the best, depends on the use of hot water and the number of points of use. The method of using hot water is also related to this, way, which it has to go through and, for example, the type of fittings installed in the house. In modern electric central heating boilers, using some of the warmth of the air in the room, the amount of energy consumed was reduced by approx. one third. These are devices worth recommending.

Refrigerators

In modern refrigerators instead of freon (FCKW or FKW) Propane-butane acts as a coolant that destroys the ozone layer and contributes to the greenhouse effect, isobutane, R134a. Refrigerators are insulated with CFC-free foamed polystyrene, produced with low power consumption. Progress goes even further – round refrigerators are a novelty, where electricity consumption is reduced to only a quarter.

Regardless of the type of refrigerator, An additional way to reduce the energy it consumes is to set the temperature inside it to about 7 ° C. The temperature varies spontaneously inside the refrigerator – it is coldest under the freezer, warmest at the bottom, on the door.

Electric cookers

Electric cookers enable energy-saving cooking provided, that we use pots with tight lids and a thick one, heat-collecting bottom, exactly the same diameter as the hob. Knowing how to save energy means switching off the hob earlier and leaving the dish on it, for the use of the plate heat, as well as cooking food in a little water. The oven consumes a lot of energy and should therefore only be used for preparing large portions. The new ovens are finished with enamel, making it easier to keep them clean without the use of strong cleaning agents.

Small electrical appliances

When deciding to buy this type of electricity receivers, we should ask ourselves a question: Are they really necessary?? In their case, it is not only the cost of the energy they consume that matters, but also the energy needed to produce them. Let's also remember, that something needs to be done with obsolete devices – most often with a considerable amount of money.

Answers to the question, which devices are necessary in our home, everyone has to give himself. But let's remember, that in an ecological house there are only really necessary devices. It is also a way to save energy!