• WHAT MAKES OUR REFRIGERATORS THE MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT?
  

For energy-efficient refrigerators, their freezers have specific locations.  More energy is saved when the freezers are on the top or bottom of the refrigerator, rather than the side.  Also, the refrigerators with features such as auto defrost and icemakers can save up to 60% of energy.  Heaters conserve energy, as well, because they are in control of the condensation on the refrigerator.  We like to keep in mind that the bigger the refrigerator, the more energy it consumes, so the ones we choose tend to be around 16-20 cubic feet

• WHY ARE OUR REFRIGERATORS COST-EFFICIENT?

The more your refrigerator is open, the more energy will be used and the higher your bill will be.  Refrigerators that are built with heavy door hinges have been proven to be less costly in the long run.  This is because these guarantee a good door seal, so you can make sure the door closes securely behind you each time you open it. Refrigerators with the features listed above, such as defrost machines and heaters, while conserving energy also save purchase price costs and energy costs.

THE REFRIGERATOR WE CHOOSE:

Our pick is the Kenmore Top-Freezer 7940 Model.  It has an automatic defrost system and can range anywhere between 18-21 cubic feet, coordinating with our recommended size.  In the new development we are constructing, each unit will be equipped with this Kenmore that we believe can be useful within the homes.  This is one of the most energy-efficient refrigerators Kenmore makes, using only 387 kilo-watt-hours a year.  The total cost, per year, to operate this kitchen appliance is merely $35!

•  WHAT MAKES OUR STOVES THE MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT?
When buying a stove, many people prefer gas to electric.  Gas cook tops allow a better control of the cooking speed and heat.  The cook tops we like the best are newer models that are required to have electric ignition instead of pilot lights.  The electric ignition stoves use about 40% less energy than the gas stoves with pilot lights.  Also, the electric gas stoves are safer than the old gas models as they have a less chance of causing a gas damage in your home.  With electric cook tops, more energy is used because electricity is needed.  However, gas stoves do not need electricity to operate, so they are much more efficient.


• WHY ARE OUR STOVES COST-EFFIECENT?
Gas stoves save an abundance of energy because they use gas rather than electricity, resulting in cheaper utility bills.  The gas stoves with electric ignition are less than half (http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/ranges.html ) the cost for operation than electric stoves are. Also, it is true that when installing a gas stove in South Florida, a propane tank is necessary.  This is an added cost that electric stoves don’t have, but it is worthwhile as much less money will be spent each month when paying your house bills.  When using electric cook tops, more carbon dioxide is put into the atmosphere of your home than when gas is used.  All in all, gas stoves seem to be the better choice.  Don’t use energy-wasting products when you can pick up an atmosphere-friendly, lower-cost gas stove!

THE STOVE WE CHOOSE:

Our pick is the Jenn-Air 36 in. Gas Cook top with Sealed Burners.  This stove has a total of five burners, including a 17,000 BTU high output burner and two simmer burners.  This offers maximum cooking flexibility that you can set to your preference each time.  It also has safety in the form of automatic re-ignition after an outage.  This cost-efficient cook top provides energy savings that will allow you to spend approximately 50 percent less than you would with a Jenn-Air electric stove.  

• WHAT MAKES OUR OVENS THE MOST ENERGY-EFFIECIENT?
These ovens that consumers everywhere are stocking up on have impressed many with their low-energy use.  About twenty percent of energy consumption is cut down when using this particular kind of oven.  The heated air circulates efficiently so that all the food is cooked through well.  Cooking time is also cut down when using convection ovens because of the guaranteed immediate heat flow.  Inside convection ovens, a fan blows to ensure even cooking temperatures and a great final result in the cooking.

• WHY ARE OUR OVENS COST-EFFICIENT? With convection ovens, energy-savings means less money spent.  Energy is reduced because the ovens offer shorter cooking times at lower temperatures.  Costs are lowered because the oven isn’t being used as much as it would be if another kind were being used.  As mentioned above, convection ovens cut down significantly on the amount of energy used.  This guarantees that the amount of money you have to spend to use your oven will be much less with a convection oven than with any other kind.

Our pick is the Thermador 30-inch Single Stainless-Steel Convection Oven (C301Z).  Compared to other top-rated convection ovens, this one costs about $200 less.  With its circulating interior heat, it guarantees even baking and unbeatable speed.  Cooking time is reduced by about 25% compared to other similar ovens.  This causes less energy usage as well.  All our homes will come with one of these for utmost satisfaction when baking.

• WHAT MAKES OUR MICROWAVES ENERGY-EFFICIENT?
Many people don’t consider the advantages of using a microwave over an oven.  When cooking or heating small- to medium- sized meals, it’s usually a better idea to use your microwave.  Microwaves are faster and use half the energy of a traditional oven because they focus on heating the food rather than the oven.   Also, microwaves don’t need to be pre-heated.  The microwaves we choose have certain amenities that contribute to their efficiency.  Features like temperature probes, variable power settings, and automatic off controls make microwaves more energy-efficient as well.

• WHY ARE OUR MICROWAVES COST-EFFICIENT?
Microwaves have been proven helpful in many instances.  In some cases, standard ovens aren’t even bought because many feel a microwave is just as useful.  It cuts the energy usage in half and lowers utility bill costs.  When using a microwave in the summer, less energy is generated so an excessive amount of money is saved with air conditioning.  Many of the same meals that can be heated in the oven can also be heated in a microwave, so why not use our one-of-a-kind microwaves that save both money and energy?  We promise it will be well worth it!