| If
you are considering buying appliances for a new house, remodeling,
or just replacing your old ones, compare Energy Efficiency Rating
(EER) labels. These labels show you the average yearly cost
of running or operating a household appliance. Energy efficient
products will end up paying for themselves in the long run with
significant savings on utility bills.
Energy
Star
Learn about top energy efficiency and products that
carry this label. ENERGY STAR is the symbol for energy efficiency
because it's a label created by the Environmental Protection
Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy of the U.S.A to help
consumers save money and prevent air pollution. Consumers
save money with ENERGY STAR products because they use less
energy than conventional products and cost less to operate.
ENERGY STAR products also offer the same or often better performance
and features as conventional products. Find out which products
have gained the Energy Star label. Get news and further information…from
appliances to insulation, to fluorescent bulbs, windows, and
the latest products being developed.
Green
Builder
Learn about the most energy efficient appliances.
Consumer
Guide
The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 7th Editioncan
be ordered online as well, which ranks the most efficient
appliances currently on the market.
Write to AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT
ECONOMY
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 801, Washington, D.C. 20036
Publications: (202) 429-0063
Their Customer Service Center answers
several trouble shooting questions about appliances and is
the place where you can request free brochures. If you need
further assistance, Maytag Customer Service representatives
are available by phone weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 800-688-9900
(U.S.) and 1-800-688-2002 (Canada).
American Gas
The AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION
is a great site describing options and how they function on
today's modern appliances. They cover dryers, water heaters,
heating systems, and gas ranges. They also offer statistics
and publications.
Special income-tax credits are also given
to individuals who install solar cooling or heating systems
in their homes. Over the past several years, these credits
have increased as our energy crisis becomes more widespread
and critical. The necessity to use alternative methods of
heating and cooling is now recognized by over 25 states granting
income tax credits or deductions. THE NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING
AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER has a toll-free hotline numbers
for questions on solar energy. Call them at: (800) 523-2929;
in Pennsylvania call (800) 462-4983.
Save on expensive service calls by contacting
the customer service repair hotline if you have a major appliance
that breaks down. Since average service call charges, without
repairs, range from $28 to over $100, if you can fix the "what’s-a-ma-call-it"
yourself, you can save quite a few dollars. The following
are toll-free hotline numbers for manufacturers of major appliances:
GENERAL
ELECTRIC
1-(800)626-2000
Ask a team of experts for help.
MAYTAG
1-800-688-9900 (U.S.) and 1-800-688-2002 (Canada)
WHIRLPOOL
(800) 253-1301
Order literature
WHITE/WESTINGHOUSE
(800) 245-0600
If your appliances aren't among those brands
listed, call your nearest service center and ask for the toll-free
hotline number for customer repairs.
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