Ohhh that dishwasher....

[norgeway]

Refrigerator power consumption

I hear a lot about how much energy the old fridges use,look at your rating plate, most old manual defrost ones use 1/2 the energy that a new model uses, my 63 Hotpoint is rated at 3 amps, and it dose'nt run nearly as much as any of the new ones, no fans to burn out, and blow air on your food and dry it out, I will take an old fridge anyday over a new one,and best of all,because my freezer stays at a steady temp. nothing freezer burns,I would love for someone to explain how something that draws 8 or 9 amps can be called energy efficient,when the same size 50s model draws 2 or 3 ?

 

[volvoguy87]

Size matters.

2 points:

1. Look at the efficiency for the size. How much energy is consumed per cubic foot to keep it at X temperature?

2. This is possibly more important than the first point. How much refrigerated space does one really need? Would you save money using a smaller, but less efficient, refrigerator if you didn't need that much cubic footage?

Right now, Elginkid and I live under the same roof and share about a 1950 Frigidaire. It' pretty big for its day (although the shoebox freezer is nearly worthless). It doesn't draw much power, it performs quite well, it is extremely quiet, and we can fit everything we need inside it. Living with a smaller fridge has necessitated some lifestyle changes, but it has been a mostly good experience. I waste less food now because there is less space to loose things and forget about them until after they spoil. We have fresh food all the time because we can't warehouse lots of food in the fridge for weeks on end. The butter is spreadable because we keep it in a closed butter dish on the counter next to the refrigerator. Butter really doesn't have to be refrigerated if you use it within a week or so.

The benefits for us include: lower overall power consumption, fresher food (the expense of having to buy food more frequently and in smaller quantities is offset by the reduction in waste), and having a really cool looking fridge in the kitchen.

The disadvantages include: monthly freezer defrosting, little usable freezer space, not so good at making ice cubes. The last 2 items can be rectified by getting a small freezer and putting it in the butler's pantry.

Overall, we love our old fridge. Also, consider how much waste is saved by keeping an appliance for 60 years as opposed to replacement every 5-7.
Dave

 

[roto204]

Hmmm...

Nah, I have the earlier version of the dishwasher, so I don't need two of them LOL.

Define "need."

 

[appnut]

I have the earlier version of the dishwasher, so I don't

Hmm, so how does that logic correlate to a certain 1950s spin-tube dishwasher? Umm, don't you have TWO of them (at least)??????

 

[roto204]

Everyone needs two spin-tubes. It's a known fact.

Besides, everyone needs at least two dishwashers, right? One for the party dishes, and one for the utility dishes used in preparation! :-D