WHEN TO GET A NEW APPLIANCE

Recently, my 92 year old Grandma was told by an electrician not to turn on the lights to her bathroom. Grandma has vanity style lighting around the mirror from 1952, when things were built to last! These days things quit on you usually before the 15 year mark, but even if your old fridge or washing machine is still operating, it can be difficult to tell when to up-grade your appliances for reasons other than aesthetics.

Old appliances such as old refrigerators waste a lot of energy, and can emit carbon dioxide. But if your old refrigerator still works, is it really better to replace it? As a general rule, buying any new product means an old product will end up in a land fill, and that is bad news. However, The EPA has stated that any appliance over 15 years old is good to get the heave-ho. If it is over 15 years old, it probably is an energy waster, and replacing it can save you 10% to 50% on a year's worth of energy costs.

But who is going to pick up the old fridge for recycling? Typically, the place you are buying the new one from will, or check out your state or local government recycling program. Reselling an old appliance yourself just means it will be active once again as an energy waster in our environment. So even if it ends up in a landfill, it's better off. In a landfill, where a large appliance take up space, the parts will get picked over and recycled. EnergyStar will show you ideal replacements for your old appliances.