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SAVING WATER/ HOME APPLIANCES
source: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
subjects/waterres/287169/
287245/?lang=_e
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Consider water and energy efficiency when buying new home appliances… - washing machines typically account for about 14% of the water we use at home, while the kitchen sink and dishwasher account for another 7.7%;
- new washing machines are much more water and energy-efficient than they used to be: a new machine uses about 50% the water and energy of the average 10-year-old machine. Many of the most efficient washing machines now use less than 50 litres of water per wash;
- dish washers are also becoming more water and energy efficient. In January 2001, the British magazine Which? tested 13 dishwashers, seven of which used just 16 litres per cycle (12 place settings). Which? estimate that washing the same crockery by hand would use 40 litres of hot water, two and a half times as much. To keep water consumption down, it’s important not to rinse items under the tap before placing them in a dishwasher. Simply scrape off excess food and fats; (1)
- despite the prevalence of half-load programmes on washing machines and dishwashers, full loads are still more water efficient. However, a survey by Which? revealed that a typical household clothes wash weighs around 2kg, although most machines are designed to be able to take 5Kg; (1)
- many machines now incorporate fuzzy logic to add a degree of ‘intelligence’. Typically, the machine will add enough water to help match the size and absorbency of the load and some will check for suds to see if an extra rinse cycle is required. Future innovations may include ultrasonic agitation and reuse of rinse water;
- today, the typical lifespan of both washing machines and dishwashers is about 8 years:
Should I replace my machine? (1) | | Washing Machine | | Dishwasher | | | | old | new | Old | new | | Litres per wash (full load) | 100 | 50 | 25 | 16 | | Annual water use – M3* | 36.4 | 18.2 | 9.1 | 5.8 | | Annual water cost** | £54.60 | £27.30 | £13.65 | £8.70 |
Note: * based on seven full-load washes per week for both washing machine and dishwasher; ** based on combined average UK water & sewerage charges of £1.50 per m3 (about € 2.15 or US$2.61).
(1) Which? Online product testing report, August 2000.
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