In today’s world of increasing human populations and decreasing resources, green living has become a necessity. Using natural resources such as water and energy sparingly helps protect the planet, while offering the added benefit of lowering utility bills. Companies ranging from supermarkets that carry reusable tote bags to appliance companies that create more efficient products are making it easier than ever to be “green.”
“Greening” your kitchen can be as simple as choosing living habits that help the environment: buy local produce, choose sustainable seafood, and replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving CFLs, or even LEDs. Using natural cleaning products that avoid toxic chemicals is another step in the right direction. And purchasing appliances that use less electricity and water will go a long way toward reducing your usage of natural resources and saving you money.
If you’re renovating your kitchen or designing a new one, the following considerations will help you determine the environmental impact of different kitchen appliances:
Is the appliance you’re looking at ENERGY STAR® rated?
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program is designed to help consumers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. In 2009 alone, Americans using ENERGY STAR appliances saved enough energy to prevent the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of 30 million cars. They also saved almost $17 billion on their utility bills.
ENERGY STAR Appliances (signified by their distinctive label) meet strict energy efficiency guidelines. And when it comes to water savings, a dishwasher built before 1994 wastes more than 10 gallons of water per cycle compared to a new ENERGY STAR qualified model. If you replace an old dishwasher with ENERGY STAR, you can save enough water on a weekly basis to wash three loads of laundry.
Is the manufacturer eco-friendly?
When considering a purchase from an appliance company, check out the company’s website and find out about its environmental practices. Miele, for example, is one of the premium brands offered by Atherton Appliance & Kitchens and
BSC Culinary. Miele is known for its history of eco-friendly practices and providing “green” products. “Miele produced dishwashers that delivered exceptional results while saving water and energy long before ENERGY STAR required it,” said Public Relations Director Paul McCormack in an online interview. “We never even made a top loading washing machine even though the market demanded it.”
Another of the variety of eco-friendly companies you’ll find in our showrooms is Thermador – all of their dishwashers are ENERGY STAR rated.
How can you recycle your old appliances?
Many old appliances can be reused (if they are in working order) or recycled. At Atherton Appliance & Kitchens and BSC Culinary, our commitment to the environment and customer includes finding the cleanest and safest way to recycle all major manufacturer household appliances. For every appliance delivery and installation, we offer you the option to haul away and recycle your old non-energy appliance for a small fee of $40 per appliance. We recycle all old appliances responsibly at the SIMS Recycling Solution in San Francisco.
Other appliance recycling options:
- Donate a working appliance to a charitable resale shop or needy organization.
- Make old appliances available to recycling networks that enable consumers to donate or swap household items.
- Locate appliance recycling facilities in your local phone book or by calling your town’s hazardous waste program.
- Check local government agencies for information on large appliance pick-up or drop-off services.
Our showroom staff will be happy to point out energy efficient and water saving options in refrigerators, cooking ranges, dishwashers, and other appliances. Stop by anytime, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
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