We recently featured an article that talked quite a bit about the Energy Star ratings of specific appliance brands and this is a continuation of that article. Two brands GE and Subzero should be given a pat on the back for thier additional efforts in helping our planet stay green.

Top 10 Green Brands according to the ImagePower Green Brands Survey:

• Whole Foods Market
• Wild Oats Markets
• Trader Joe's
• Toyota
• Honda
• Sub-Zero
• Ikea
• Body Shop
• G.E.
• Aveda

Sub-Zero was ranked on the Top 10 list of Green Brands in 2007 by the ImagePower Green Brands Survey. In this independent, 3rd party research, more than 3000 consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom were polled to rate the most ‘green’ brands.

I read a little bit about SubZero's effort on the corporate website. It seems that for Sub-Zero, green is more than just an Energy Star rating. Even the largest refrigeration product they manufacture, the Sub-Zero PRO 48, uses less energy per month than a 100-watt light bulb according to the website.

From being built in the USA, to supporting organic farmers and food artisans, to using renewable energy, to extensive recycling, to sourcing environmentally friendly materials and supplies, to providing living wages to factory workers - Sub-Zero & Wolf have been ‘green’ long before the term even existed.

Subzero featured product: Practically an in-home ice factory, the Sub-Zero 315I Ice Maker holds 26 pounds of ice cubes and can crank out up to 30 pounds of ice a day. The unit is compact, slightly over 15" wide.

The most common part needed for this is the Subzero Water Pump Replacement Part

More on Energy Star Ratings next time!

Labels: Energy Star Appliances, Sub-Zero Parts

Labels: Appliance Model Numbers

We often get asked what the difference is between an energy star washing machine or dishwasher and a normal one. The quick and easy answer is Saved Money. You will save money on a monthly basis. Just how much depends on how many people in your household and how often you wash clothes and wash dishes (as well as take showers and so forth)

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Here is the official energy star website.

Energy Star Washing Machines

Most washing machines use 40 or more gallons per load. This is an huge number. Not only is it wasteful, but it can get very expensive when you consider how many of these gallons need to be heated and how much energy is needed and paid for to make this work. For washing machine replacement parts -click here.

Energy Star rated washing machines use between 18-25 gallons. These appliances will save you 38-55% on water consumption per load, and depending on how many loads you wash on Hot. It will also reduce the heating bill by nearly half per load.

Energy Star Dishwashers

A typical dishwasher uses 12 gallons per load, all of which is hot water. Energy Star rated dishwashers use 3 gallons less per load, which again not only saves the cost of those three gallons, but also the cost to heat them. An energy star dishwasher will save 25% every time you run it. Click here for Dishwasher Coupons

Water usage is a culprit of high cost in home energy bills. Depending on how many showers people take, and how many people there are in the home to take them as mentioned above, sprinklers, pools and fish tanks, water can become a huge spender, especially when you have to heat it.

Simple actions can make a big difference. If just one in 10 homes in the United States used ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, the change would be like planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.

Some Energy Star Appliance Rebates for you:

The Jenn-Air® brand "Invitation to Inspiration" escalating cash back event offers consumers who purchase select Jenn-Air brand appliances between February 10, 2008 and July 12, 2008 an opportunity to receive up to $1,000 cash back by mail. Jenn-Air Appliance Parts here.

Consumers purchasing 5 select Jenn-Air brand appliances, which may include specific ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerators and dishwashers are eligible to receive $750 cash back by mail. Consumers purchasing 4 select products are eligible to receive $500 cash back, while those purchasing 3 select products are eligible to receive $300 cash back by mail. More Jenn-Air Coupons here

Consumers will receive a bonus $250 cash back by mail when the package purchase includes a select Jenn-Air built-in-refrigerator. Check all Jenn-Air Rebates here.

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The Amana brand "Suite Deal on Stainless" event, running April 13, 2008
through July 26, 2008, offers consumers that purchase select Amana brand
stainless steel kitchen appliance packages up to $300 cash back by mail. Amana Coupons are here.

Consumers can receive $150 cash back for purchasing a package containing 4
select Amana brand stainless steel appliances of which includes an Energy Star
qualified dishwasher. Amana Appliance Parts and Accessories are here.

Consumers purchasing packages containing 3 select Amana
brand stainless steel kitchen appliances are eligible to receive $100 cash back
by mail. As a bonus, consumers will have an opportunity to receive an additional
$50 - $120 cash back when they upgrade the refrigerator within the package to
qualified models. Find more Amana Rebates here.

There is an additional $30 bonus cash back when consumers
upgrade the dishwasher within the package to an eligible Energy Star qualified
model.

Save Money, Time and the Environment!

Labels: Energy Star Appliances

• GE Surface Element Switch - 'Push to Turn'
• Range/Cooktop Infinite Heat Switch, for Westinghouse
• 'Dual' Surface Element Switch Kit
• 'Dual' Surface Element Switch Kit
• Electric Range Oven Thermostat Knob
• Gas Range Surface Burner Knobs
• Gas Range Oven Thermostat Knob
• Range Surface Element Drip Bowls and Burners
  

There are also OEM appliance replacement kits which may work for other multiple appliance brands. An example appliance part is the universal electric range and cooktop surface element infinite heat switch controls.

In this case the part manufacturer (Robertshaw) supplies the same appliance part to the various appliance manufacturers whom each then just label it with their own appliance part number.

It can be riskier to order a universal appliance part - so be sure that you are purchasing from an Appliance Parts Retailer that offers an excellent return policy.

Labels: Universal Appliance Parts

It's time to get your range ready for summer. Replace your old surface and bake units and dull drip pans with shiny new parts if you can't get the old ones clean!

First, let's talk about keeping your range clean to begin with. Cleaning after each use of the cooktop with cleaning cream will keep the cooktop looking new and easy to clean. Ceramic cooktop cleaning creams are the best. Cooktop Cleaning Cream, gently cleans glass ceramic, stainless steel or glass cooktops.

If your appliances are stainless steel - pick up a stainless steel cleaner, also. Stainless Steel Magic - Gently polishes and removes water spots, grease and stains from all your stainless steel sinks and appliances for a gleaming finish. Keep that old stove of yours looking and working like new!

Also popular for cleaning and prepping is CERAMA BRYTE Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner. It is designed for use on ALL glass-ceramic cooktops. It is tested and qualified for CERAN® by SCHOTT GLAS and is recommended by EuroKera. It is non-toxic and biodegradable.

Industry wide testing shows that if you are have a spillover from high sugar mixtures or melted plastic you should:

• Turn off all surface units. Remove hot pans.
• Wear an oven mitt.
• Use a razor scraper to move the spill to a cool area on the cooktop. (Hold the razor at about a 45 degree angle to scrape)
• Remove the spill with paper towels.
• Any remaining spillover should be left until the surface of the cooktop has cooled.
• Do not use the surface units again until all residue has been completely removed.

If your electric surface burners are not heating as normal, lightly sandpaper the contacts on the element and the block they plug into. Safety first, unplug your stove. If service is still impaired, replace blocks first, then the coiled element.

Can't get the top burners clean no matter what you do? You may have to replace your top burnersWhen replacing Range top burners, plug in type, always check for burnt contacts in burner receptacle. To be safe replace receptacle with top burner.

To find the correct burners - find the model number first.

How to find the Part number of your range:

1. Open oven door wide, model number plate located on mullion between the hinges.
2. Lift the left front surface unit, model number plate is on the inner left side of frame.
3. On the frame behind oven door.
4. Pull lower drawer out. Model number plate is on horizontal or vertical member of frame.
5. Lift right front or rear surface unit. Model number is on inside, right side of frame or the back corner of the frame.
6. Use the search bar on top of this blog .. or click here to find shiny new oven and range parts!

Labels: oven parts, range parts

• LG knob Assembly Stainless Steel


• LG knob assembly Super BOI


• LG Range Glass and trim ASM


• Burner Cap for LG Ranges

For more information on other LG Appliance parts, CLICK HERE

For Amana Appliance Coupons, Click here

Labels: LG Appliance Parts

Happy Mother's Day!

We wanted to find a poem for Mom that was applicable to the nature of our website. In many households a Mom does everything .. from fixing booboo's to fixing appliances. Unfortunately, the author is unknown on this beautiful poem so we are unable to give credit where credit is due.

Clothes Dryers are a luxury that we cannot live without and when the clothes come out too damp, it can irritate even the best of us.

We count on our dryers 52 weeks of the year.

Here are some quick tips to extend the life of your clothes dryer and save energy.

• Avoid kinking the exhaust vent behind dryer. Besides making it harder for the dryer to dry your clothes, you may need a replacement dryer vent quicker. If your dryer is very close to the wall, try a Dryer Vent Periscope. A periscope is designed to allow close placement of the dryer to the wall. Metal clamps on a dryer vent periscope make installation easy with common household tools.
• The shorter the better (as far as vents go). Exhaust ducting should be of a metalized semi rigid/flexible material. Do not use vinyl as it can be easily smashed. Vinyl will not withstand heat as well as metalized ducting.
• Check your outside vent hood for clogs and dirts. Make sure that you clean it regularily if necessary. Don't use mesh wire or grates to cover the vent hood unless you are willing to clean the grates out regularily. Grates will definitely help keep rodents or birds out of your exhaust but can easily cause clogging. Lint always makes it through the dryer's lint screen and can clog the grate.
• The best dryer vent hood has a flapper that opens when the clothes dryer is in use and closes when off. Check the proper operation of the flapper on a regular basis.
• Clean the lint screen between loads (we have all heard this one before). Featured: Upper & lower air duct assembly with lint screen
• Do not overload dryer and do not underload the dryer. Too many clothes will inhibit proper circulation of heated air between the garments. On the other hand, too few clothes in the clothes dryer can create a similar problem by bunching and not allowing proper air flow through the clothes. Proper air flow will make for a faster dry time.
• In winter months, dryers located in a heated area of the home will dry more quickly than in a basement or non-heated utility room. This may not be something you can control, though.
• Drying loads sequentially will reduce overall dry time by using the heat retained by the dryer from previous loads. So go back to the "laundry day" idea that our Mothers had.
• Recheck pants pockets and clothes cubby holes before putting clothes into dryer. Gum, pencils, pens, money, nails, earrings, jewelry, etc. can damage clothing as well as damage your appliance.
• Improperly vented dryers can pose a serious fire hazard. This hazard can be drastically mitigated or even eliminated by installing a fire-safe venting system.

Labels: Clothes Dryer Parts

• Keep large dishes and items at the sides and back, so that they don't block water and detergent from reaching other smaller dishes, cups and glasses.


• Load the dirtier side of dishes toward the center for more exposure to the spray. This is an important one and is contrary to your natural instinct


• Use the top rack for plastic and delicate items that are dishwasher safe.


• Put silverware handles down, but knife handles up. Be careful when removing the cleaned utensils .. you don't want to get stabbed by a fork!


• Place items with baked-on food facedown and toward the sprayer in thebottom rack.

• Environmentally Safe, Glisten gets your dishwasher sparkling clean and lemon fresh. Glisten works hard to remove built-up soap scum, food stains and discoloration due to iron and other water impurities. A clean dishwasher can help get your dishes cleaner.


• Glisten is a non-toxic, citric acid mixture designed to remove iron and manganese, known as hard water stains. It is also safe for septic systems. Glisten will remove food stains on dishes as well.


• Glisten can be used in small amounts with dishwasher soap to keep glasses and dishes clean.


• Regular monthly use of Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner is recommended for best results.


• Glisten can also be used as a laundry aid to brighten whites.


• Each package contains one 3 ounce pouch. Dishwasher Parts


• Glisten's Dishwasher Cleaner is not just for cleaning dishwashers, however. It's a multi-purpose cleaning product. It removes stains from dishes, sinks, plastic, and glassware.


• Use it in the laundry room to remove unsightly iron stains from the tub of the washing machine.

Labels: Dishwasher Parts

Labels: Icemaker Parts

Earth Day this year affected me more than usual. Little things can help preserve our earth for our children and grandchildren. I compiled a list of "appliance-related" items to help conserve energy and the earth.

• In the market for a new appliance? When you buy an appliance, you commit to paying both the first cost and the operating cost for as long as you own it. And over the life of an appliance, the energy cost to run it can be many times greater than the first cost. So it pays to buy an energy-efficient appliance.
• Instead of ammonia-based cleaners, use vinegar and water or baking soda and water for cleaning your appliances.
• Don’t use electric tools and appliances when hand-operated ones will do the job.
• Air-dry laundry when possible. Only use your dryer when needed.
• Avoid keeping refrigerator or freezer too cold. Government recommended temperature for fresh food is 38 degrees F. For freezers it’s 5 degrees F.
• Don’t use excessive amounts of detergent. Presoak dirty laundry. Washing Machine parts
• Install water-conserving showerheads and sink-faucet aerators.
• Insulate your water heater. Turn it down to 121 degrees F.
• Visit the hardware store. Buy low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and compact fluorescent light bulbs, as needed. These can be purchased from any hardware or home improvement store. Northern Tool Coupons
• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator to reduce cooking times and to ensure food safety.
• Repair leaks and drips as soon as they occur. A moderate drip wastes two gallons of water or more per hour.
• Use small electric pans and ovens to reduce energy use. Believe it or not, when burner pans become blackened from heavy use, they can absorb a lot of heat, reducing burner efficiency. You want them to remain shiny so they reflect heat up to the cookware.
• Run your dishwasher only when full, and use the energy saver cycle. Don't hand-wash. Studies are showing more and more that, when used to maximize energy-saving features, modern dishwashers can outperform all but the most frugal hand washers.
• Keep lint screen in dryer clean .

If you have any other tips - please post them in the comments. Let's keep helping each other out!

Labels: Green Appliance

Labels: Appliance Cleaners