Direct Energy

Finally you are in the place in your life where you seem to be ready to say good bye to your old refrigerator which you inherited from your parents, which they got as a present to their engagement from their own parents as something to remember them by, or probably as a family relic.

You have done a good job so far, decided to recycle it so that you do not feel guilty for giving up your engagement present. As an excuse you have persuaded yourself that is going to be recycled and become something useful for someone else.

You have found a recycling location, maybe one of those which we have already been through, and dropped it off there.

Now you are desperately in need of a new one. What would be your criteria in choosing a new refrigerator?

The majority would shop based on the price limit and their budget flexibility. However, sometimes people fail to properly distinguish between cheap and efficient prices.

Today, it has become quite trendy to talk about environmentally-friendly things.  Thus almost each major appliance manufacturer has already introduced energy-saving ‘furnishing’ to you kitchen.

You may be eligible to receive rebates from your state or territory for the purchase of new ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. These rebates are being funded with $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Under this program, eligible consumers can receive rebates to purchase new energy-efficient appliances when they replace used appliances.

More than 70% of the energy used in our homes is for appliances, refrigeration, space heating, cooling, and water heating. Replacing old appliances and equipment with those that are ENERGY STAR labeled can help American families save significantly on their utility bills. Each state and territory has selected its own set of ENERGY STAR qualified products to rebate, based on the DOE list of recommended appliances

This one of the possible ways to contribute to the global improvement situation. There is a number of other things which you can do in order to be energy efficient. If you can hardly think of anything else you can easily find certain tips online. To be more precise, you may consider Direct Energy.

The company operates in 2 countries Canada and the USA, so the tips are divided into categories depending where you come from. And then teach country is further subdivided into regions each also having a separate pile of tips.

Direct Energy also classifies its hints and advices based on the season. Besides other ideas, the company supports the ENERGY STAR® label.

Direct Energy worked in collaboration with Milton Hydro and Bell, with independent analysis by the University of Waterloo, to conduct a home energy conservation pilot that provide customers the tools they needed to take control of their energy consumption.

Each participants received a leading-edge home energy conservation kit that allowed them to monitor their home energy consumption, as well as remotely control and schedule energy consumption of home appliances including:

• Lights
• Home appliances
• Thermostats
• Electric hot water heaters
• Air conditioners

Who knows, probably it is really about the right time to start doing something good for the environment, or at least stop hurting it…

Lowes

One person’s garbage is another person’s recycled treasure. So, when it’s time to move on to new appliances, find out how to recycle your old ones so they won’t end up in a landfill where they can cause serious problems for the environment.

If you are ready to say good by to your old fridge, then you should be able to find the rules and regulations regarding appliance recycling in your local municipality, using either the National Recycling Coalition’s State Recycling Resources or the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Office’s (ASTSWMO) State Agency Waste Management Program Links. Your city or town may have an appliance round-up day or a location where you can drop off used appliances.

Following the list of companies which do accept appliances for recycling service, I am about to add one more company who is trying to make our environment cleaner and safer is Lowes, the world’s second largest home improvement retailer. In addition to ordinary waste recycle incentive, Lowes also engaged itself into more serious activity. A few years ago, the company started its ‘career’ in the sphere of appliance recycling.

In 2004, Lowe’s Companies, Inc., and the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit, public service organization dedicated to recycling rechargeable batteries, having integrated RBRC’s recycling program into Lowe’s stores throughout the U.S.

Supported by rechargeable battery and product manufacturers, RBRC’s battery recycling program was unique in industry product stewardship. The Lowe’s/RBRC partnership brought together a leading home improvement retail chain and a non-profit organization making the recycling of rechargeable batteries accessible and convenient for everyone. The program also had a significant impact on the visibility and availability of RBRC’s battery recycling program through the Do-It-Yourself retail channel.

As of 2004, consumers have been able to look for RBRC battery collection boxes in Lowe’s stores across the U.S. Lowe’s to recycle all used portable rechargeable batteries commonly found in cordless electronics products such as: cordless power tools, cordless and cellular phones, two-way radios, laptop computers, electric toothbrushes, camcorders and handheld mini vacuums among many others.

Lowes  joined a long list of national retailers, including RadioShack, Target, Batteries Plus and dozens of others, who support the environment by placing battery collection boxes in their stores. Consumers now drop off their used rechargeable batteries free-of-charge when purchasing.

Lowe’s stores have participated in the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Program since 2004, helping to protect the water supply by keeping batteries out of landfills. Lowe’s collected a company-record 334,000 pounds of rechargeable batteries in 2009, a 17 percent increase over 2008. Our store participation rate also increased, from 88 percent to 93 percent.

The company entered the seventh year of its nationwide pallet recycling program in 2009. Lowe’s recycled 166,349 tons of wood pallets, 147,131 tons of cardboard and 395 tons of shrink wrap. It also moved forward with the appliance recycling pilot program, with 120 stores participating. More than 87 percent of appliances were recycled, collecting 4,624 tons of steel. The company plans to extend the program to all of its stores in 2010.

So far the company’s reducing waste in its communities is at the heart of Lowe’s recycling strategies. With a proactive approach to minimizing the impact, Lowe’s is proud of the progress it has made with the appliance recycling programs.

Stores Online

More and more businesses have been moving their operation online to broaden the customer market. People find it comfortable and satisfactory. Besides other advantages of online stores, they also feature lower prices on the products.

Amazon.com has been always one of the best spots for small-appliance price and selection, yet the customers of small, independent stores were much more likely than those who went to big chains to get major-appliance support without enduring exasperating phone calls.

To help you make appliance shopping a breeze, Consumer Reports enlisted more than 20,000 subscribers, who reported on their experiences buying upward of 35,000 small and major appliances.

According to the Consumer reports survey results, the Amazon.com, Sears, General Electric, and Maytag and Home Depot are ranked in the following order. Consumer reports were mixed and it was not easy to rank the companies, however, general picture is quite distinct.
Amazon.com. Amazon.com won a following with free shipping on many small appliances not sold through partners (our category included grills, vacuum cleaners, and air conditioners).

Lowe’s / Home Depot. While neither stood out among the competitors for product support, Lowe’s generally outscored Home Depot for product selection and shopping ease, which includes maneuvering around displays and finding people to answer questions. Readers also found Lowe’s faster during checkout for a major-appliance purchase.

Sears. Results for Sears were mixed. While respondents overall were very satisfied, Sears alone scored below average for its major-appliance pricing, despite a price-competition guarantee. Sears was among the better major companies for service and support, regardless of whether the brand was from the retailer’s own Kenmore line or another manufacturer.

General Electric. Premium products, same support. General Electric stood out for its Web site for customer support, according to our subscribers, but it otherwise scored average at solving problems. Problem-solving was similar for GE’s high-end Monogram kitchen appliances. Service calls go through personnel trained on all GE lines, says Chuck Dawes, product manager for GE Monogram.

Maytag. Low marks for Maytag. Acquired by Whirlpool in 2006, the company continues to promote its selection of a new “repairman,” who doesn’t seem to have enough repair work to keep him busy. But Maytag earned among the lowest scores when it came to dealing with real-life complaints.

It is safe to say that each of these companies has its own audience and customers. Due to their quality of goods and customer service they are ranked higher or lower.
Independent Stores. Smaller independent stores were cited for service and checkout ease. For major appliances, Abt Electronics, of Glenview, Ill., earned high marks; it also ships many items free. But when it came to service and support, independent stores outscored all major retailers and manufacturers.

Service/Support. More than 85 percent of the requests for support in the survey were made by phone call to the manufacturer or retailer. Far fewer who’d purchased from an independent retailer and called that business ran into difficulties with automated voice systems, were bounced from one person to another, or couldn’t reach a technician without making several calls.

Sears Complements

Appliance disposal and recycling programs are offered not only by Best Buy and Maytag companies. Another appliance retailer long ago (2007) teamed up with the Environmental Protection Agency to offer recycling services for refrigerators and freezers.

The cooperation is still going on. Sears aims at proper and safe disposal of appliances that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which destroy ozone and trap greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. They are not pioneers in this program but are extremely efficient.

Customers are stimulated by generous rebates. Once they bring in their old appliances and purchase more energy efficient items at the Sears location, they may get back up to $200. This is a part of the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. This program has the financing backup of $300 million. Almost all types of appliances are welcome:  refrigerators, freezer, and dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners and water heaters.

These old appliance rebates come in addition to the ongoing ENERGY STAR rebates introduced a few years ago.

While program details were under discussion, Sears still enables customers to track the rebate process.

According to the recent news, for those customers who are looking to get new ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the Sears company will:

• Provide updates via emails to the registered members of Sears.com asenergystar with announcements regarding current and new upcoming events and programs;

• Assist in eliminating troubles while subscribing to the rebate programs before they get discouraged and give up the idea;

• describe the requirements as for the appliances which are eligible for the rebate programs running online and onsite; as well as

• Assist consumers with the relative removal and disposal of their old appliances, as needed.

Sears employees inform their customers about this and other similar programs and Sears is doing its best to make sure customers know about it. But if customers have been thinking about buying an appliance, the rebates might push them to get off the fence.

Every year, these Sears programs help to dispose up to a million appliance items. Refrigerated items are of special importance. The thing is that they contain hazardous components (especially those produced by 1995) and require special treatment when recycled. Not only sears can offer such options for your refrigerators. If there is no Sears location in your area, you can always contact the municipal authorities in this regard and you are entitled to due assistance.

The federal government has encouraged energy conservation to fight global warming. State officials say they love Mother Earth, too, but also think it’s OK to spur the state’s economy and the sales taxes generated by retail sales.

Only environmentally and consumer friendly countries can afford such programs to be held. It is an incredible investment made by the country and Sears Corporation into better environment for living. Consumers have to properly appreciate such steps toward improvement of their living conditions and cooperate as much as they can.

And what country do you live in? Have you any programs of the kind going on? Do you participate? Please share with us!

Maytag

Another appliance supplier on the list pending for review is Maytag. The company does not simply distributes its appliance items, but manufacturers them. Maytag is known for its washing machines first and then for some other good staffs.

Those ‘other good staff’ would include refrigeration, cooking, dishwashers, and kitchen suits. Since the company has been a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation since 2006, the range of the offered appliance goods has considerably broadened over the past few years. However, the main emphasis is still on laundry items.

Maytag has been manufacturing washing machines for more than a century so far. The company must have gained much experience in the area. When a dishwasher was introduced, Maytag also included it into its list of washers. Thus, if you are about to buy a washing machine and browse the net for some hints and additional information there is a chance you may find some interesting and helpful facts about Maytag washing machines and dishwashers.

According to consumer reviews, for example, Maytag’s Centenial Top Load Washer is considered to be the most economic version available. Among its primary benefits are:

– a wide opening lid and super size capacity.
– commercial grade parts.
– models with additional features at some extra cost (additional rinse, two speed motors, selecting extra options during the wash cycle).
– much easier to add things to the laundry in the middle of the cycle.

If you read characteristics, you will notice that high efficiency top load models are deprived of agitator. That is why their efficiency and performance is higher because clothes are lifted and tumbled by discs in the machine. Such washing machines go at very high speeds, thus drying time and energy consumption are considerably decreased.
As for the size characteristics and load abilities, so Bravo Top Load Washer by Maytag is considered to be the largest washer. Despite its large overall dimensions the company claims Bravo to use half the water and energy compared to average washing machine. This is determined by a sensor that defines the relative spin speed depending on the weight of the laundry. According to CEE Tier II rating Bravo Top Load Washer is also considered to be the most optimum choice on the market at this price.

Another recent innovation of the Maytag Company is the Epic front loader. As any other front loader, the Epic also provides convenient place for storing detergents and other items. Besides, Maytag’s Epic “tumbles the clothes, rather than agitating them, using up to 65% less water than the average top loader”. This model also features controlled lockout, known as Sensi-Care wash. In addition to all other advantages, Epic has sensor controlled suds, automatic water level sensor, as well as built in heater.

It is not that customers do not experience any inconveniences with the Maytag appliances. They certainly do. There are complaints about the company and its goods. However, Maytag improves its customer support by providing troubleshooting tips for the clients in case they face problems with Maytag appliances.

Over time, however, Maytag has consistently stood out as a top performer with their products.

Best Buy

We have been talking about appliances, appliance stores as well as appliance recycling… It seems to be possible to contain all these topics into one article dedicated to Best Buy.

It is not a secret to anyone that Best Buy is a global family of brands, an industry leader. Through more than 940 retail stores across the United States and in Canada, the company provides its customers with technology and entertainment products and services, such as consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services. A Minneapolis-based company, its operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com and BestBuyCanada.ca), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad…

However, the company is not only about selling appliances and other electronics.

From the smallest notebooks to the latest LED high-definition flat screens, Best Buy is also associated with almost antique items. If you manage to sneak to the back of the stores of the company you will be amazed at the variety of museum-worthy televisions, old desktop computers and outdated cell phones.

In 2009, Best Buy once again launched an in-store take back program. Consumers were given a chance to hand in their old gadgets, while mutually benefiting from the business the recycling traffic brings in.

This green initiative was started at 34 of the company’s locations. The program allowed two items per day per household, accepting almost all types of electronic devices, such as:

– Televisions and monitors up to 32 inches
– VCR and DVD players
– Cell phones
– Computers
– Accessories including mice, keyboards as well as remotes.

Televisions, CRTs, monitors and laptops were accepted for $10. The customer was not charged the $10 fee if the item was an exclusive brand (private Best Buy® label) item or in the state of California. However, as a reward customers received $10 Best Buy gift card for purchases at Best Buy stores.

Among the items which were rejected were TVs and monitors over 32 inches, console televisions, microwaves and items containing Freon other appliances of the kind. If someone wanted to recycle a desktop or laptop computer he was asked to extract the hard drive first. This could be done by the customer himself or by the Geek Squad specialist at the additional $19.99. to simplify the process, the company even released a video on how to remove the hard drive in order to cust costs for the clients.

Recycling program is a funds consuming enterprise. However, a customer is worth it: every person who came in with an old gadget is a new client at Best Buy store. This is a powerful marketing approach. The company invests into its potential clients which will surely be back at least to use their $10 Best Buy gift card.

According to CNN Money reports, “By offering recycling, Best Buy positions itself as the place to turn when customers need to dispose of their electronics, which often coincides with the acquisition of a new device.”

The company has been recurrently organizing these massive acceptance of pre-owned electronics as of November 2008. Since then, customers have ‘donated’ for recycling 110,000. Mutual benefits have brought positive feed backs and customer satisfaction, which was one of the prerogatives of Best Buy launching the program.

Appliance Recycling

When you are about to buy a new appliance item, there pop ups a question: what will you do with your old one? It is one thing if you are buying something that you never had, but it is a completely different – if you are going to replace your out-of-date fridge, for example. There are several options in this case: to send to a disposal, you bring it to your summer house, give it to the poor, or recycle.

Recycling has become quite fashionable these days. Definitely there are people who do this just out of environmental situation concerns, however, others may do it unconsciously and just because their neighbors do that. On the other hand whatever the reasons are, it is a good thing to undertake. And it is not in terms of waste recycling only, household appliances can also be subjected to this process. You can recycle literally any household item you have: cooling equipment, electronics, lightning equipment, etc.

Most municipalities will pick up your old refrigerator, freezer or air conditioner with the bulk trash pick-up (you must call the city to arrange a pick-up). By law, the city must must dispose of refrigerants, PCBs and mercury properly. But first, contact your utility to see if there is a rebate or bounty program in your area.

Several major electronics manufacturers have programs in place to accept their old hardware, usually as a trade-in upon purchase of a new unit. They are joined by retail stores, including Staples, Best Buy, Office Depot and Wal-Mart, who have programs to collect appliances such as computers, monitors, laptops, printers, faxes and all-in-ones for recycling in accordance with environmental laws.

Find a local e-waste recycling or donation program by visiting EPA’s eCycling page.

Many towns and cities offer recycling opportunities for CFLs at local recycling centers or transfer stations. State requirements and recycling opportunities vary. To find out what programs are available in your state or region, go to http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling.

Your utility may even pay you to get rid of inefficient appliances. These programs usually involve an incentive on the order of $35 for the collection of old units, either in the form of cash or a rebate towards an ENERGY STAR replacement. A third party contractor that works with the utility will either come to you and pick up the appliance, or hold a turn-in event where you drop it of. Existing programs predominantly target old refrigerators; a few programs also offer a rebate for room air conditioners. Contractors ensure that the old units are disposed properly.

Where Do You Shop

Sears, Lowe’s, HHGreg, Best Buy, Home Depot, Maytag, Conns… does any of these words bring up any associations in your mind? Do they have something in common? Sure they do and you exactly know what.

When you plan to invest your money in your household well being you consider: remodeling, furniture and appliances. Right, my dear, appliances they may seem to be nothing compared to remodeling, for instance, but think how much money you will spend if you buy a refrigerator, an oven, a microwave, a coffeemaker, a washing machine in one purchase. That will definitely hit your pocket. That is why it has to be a wise investment. And remember a simple rule: we are not that rich to buy cheap appliances.

Choosing the right appliance store is the first step to success. I have just enumerated those most popular and which appear on top of the list in Google search results. However, there are many more of them. Those are leaders in the market; they have locations in more than one state. But there are also local retailers which can be the ultimate choice if you live in the country area. Anyway, there are some guidelines for you to consider when choosing which shop to enrich with you next appliance purchase.

1. Make a list of appliance items you need to buy; this will help you to choose the right store on the first stage. At lest your choices are narrowed. Because there are purely appliance stores and mixed ones which also sell electronics. If you need appliance purely for your kitchen, do not implicate electronics here.

2. Read reviews. These two steps may seem dull and trivial but they are really helpful because once you are sure of what you want and where you get it you will avoid confusion, time, efforts and money waste on the site. It is much better to switch from one page to another than to drive from one store to another. Makes sense, does not it?

3. Now look for promos and sales or other features you can benefit from. There are many stores that offer different promos and appliances sales that help you get the best value for your money. For example, Sears constantly lowers prices on some appliance categories and offsets this by marking up other appliances. Home Depot also gives price reductions on their products if you find a similar product that is priced lower in another appliance store.

4. Look through specialized sites which offer printable discount coupons in case there are no ongoing sales at the stores.

Here you are, appliance store hunting simple as it is! Shop on!

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