Choosing the right appliances

CEBU, Philippines - The need for comfort, ease and convenience has spurred the emergence of appliances. These inventions help people minimize the effort to be exerted to accomplish household or office tasks. Appliances also make many various aspects of life more convenient and comfortable, the reason why these easily become a fixture in modern living.

But not all appliances are not created equal, so to speak. Some appliances are products of substandard manufacturing processes, posing hazards to users. Many residential fires, for example, start from substandard appliances.

Quality, therefore, is a major issue when buying appliances. Especially for the home where appliances are meant to be used for long-time usage, the appliances to choose shall be durable enough to stand its intended function and purpose.  While price is also a consideration, it shall be pitted well against safety and electricity-consumption considerations.

Yes, the little premium in the price can be effectively offset by appliances that have high energy efficiency ratio or energy rating. Some appliances are devised to consume less electricity for the same function and length of usage. This is particularly true with the new crop of electrical devices.

Energy ratings are given to electrical products based on their size category, for the guidance of consumers. Naturally, the bigger the appliance, the higher the electricity consumption. But at a certain size, the one with the higher energy rating consumes less electricity for the same usage.

The website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk says that efficient energy consumption also depends on the proper usage of the appliances. The said website has a few practical suggestions on how to save more on the electricity consumption and be on the safe side with old appliances.

Unplug appliances when not in use.

Unplugged appliances still consume electricity up to 25 percent - even when switched off. Even broadband modems, broadband routers, digi-boxes and telephones use low levels of electricity when not used. The same is true with other appliances; so, when the fridge is not to be used for some time, for example, it is wise to plug it off.

Choose appliances wisely.

When choosing cookers, it is advisable to go for those with "A+++" energy rating; these are more efficient. This new oven with "A+++" consumes 60 per cent less electricity than a rated-B oven. A microwave oven is a better substitute to an electric oven because it consumes less energy in heating food. This is an important decision to make, especially for the home where cookers are frequently used.

The same goes with refrigerators. Experts suggest choosing a "A+++" rated fridge. But, again, the energy consumption of refrigerators depends on its size; thus choosing a smaller one can help save more on electricity consumption.

Televisions, on the other hand, consume more electricity than most entertainment appliances. To lessen the energy consumption, choose a smaller TV. Also, smaller Standard Density TVs are a better choice than High Definition TVs.

Laptops use 85 per cent less energy in a year than a desktop PC.

Properly dispose of old appliances.

Do not mix old appliances with ordinary garbage, as appliances have electrical- and chemical-based materials that pose hazards to the health and the environment. Do not attempt to burn or to burry a junk appliance. If there's no place to store it, find a recycling point or an organization that collect such items.

Appliances are intended for human convenience, not to cause problems with huge electricity bills and threats to health and the environment. As with any piece of equipment, these are to be used with care and prudence. (FREEMAN)