Modern Kitchen Appliances: Ten Reasons Why It's Time for a New Stove, Dishwasher, or Refrigerator
Major kitchen appliances more than 10 years old are costing you convenience and much more. Here's why:
Kitchen Ranges
- Ranges without self-cleaning ovens aren't insulated like modern ranges. This increases energy bills with every use.
- Gas burners and electric coils used to be your only choices. Older gas stoves didn't have self-igniting burners. Gas cooktops are much easier to clean these days. Your electric range's coil heating elements have difficult-to-clean rims and drip trays. The sheet metal below collects grease, baked-on spills--even cockroaches! Modern kitchen electric ranges offer smooth, easy-care, ceramic glass cooktops with either radiant or magnetic induction elements below.
- Replacing your range provides the option to install heat-emitting ovens away from the food prep area.
Old Fridges
- Interior layouts are versatile, especially with milk-jug depth doors, French doors, easy-access freezer drawers, and glass pull-out shelves.
- Exterior ice and water dispensers preclude many energy-sapping door openings.
- Today's ENERGY STAR refrigerators save $100 per year over 1980s models, and $200 per year over 1970s models. Insulation and compressors are greatly improved.
Noisy Dishwashers
- Pre-1994 dishwashers use 8 gallons more water per cycle than today's ENERGY STAR units. If operated every other day, that's 1,442 gallons saved each year!
- Configurations of interior racks offer many choices, and two-drawer styles are great for small loads.
- Improved water filtration, dirty water sensors, and efficient jets save water and energy.
- Noise reduction is amazing!
Your kitchen's appliances aren't meant for sentiment. Improve your utility bills, facilitate kitchen chores, and create a kitchen makeover with modern kitchen appliances.
About the Author
Suzanne Clemenz designed her passive solar home and interacted with the contractors every day of the 6-month project. She started drawing floor plans and making models in the early '70s after purchasing several building lots. Recently she expanded and
