Be an Energy Star!

Unfortunately, the Handyman's Dream didn't come with appliances. When shopping, we tried to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We decided to purchase new ones. This wasn't a decision we put much thought into -- the new machines are so much more efficient than old ones. Then someone mentioned the idea of reusing, and we considered whether buying used machines would have made more sense.

However, would it? If I don't buy someone's somewhat efficient used appliances, most likely someone else will. Chances are that the person buying a used machine is buying it to replace a machine that is older (and less efficient.) So, by not purchasing used, we've left them for someone who cannot afford the brand new (more efficient) machines we bought. Or so the rationalization goes...
So, we read up on the Energy Star program. Currently, our government offers a tax rebate of 5% on appliances that qualify as Energy Star. So, with this information, we headed out to comparison shop. We needed a washer, dryer, fridge and stove.

Washer: All front load washers are Energy Star and use around 150 kwh per year. So, we bought a front load washer. No-brainer.

Dryer: NO dryers are Energy Star. We still bought one, as the idea of hanging laundry in -40 with a windchill doesn't work so well. Though, frozen sheets are pretty cool. We try to minimize use of the dryer.

Fridge: Very few fridges are Energy Star. I read a bit, and learned that side-by-side fridges are the least efficient. There was debate over top or bottom freezer, and the consensus was that they were similarly efficient. We chose a top-freezer because it was a bit cheaper.

Stove: While in Cambodia, we had a gas range. After 2 weeks of living with the in-laws and using their electric range, we decided to investigate the cost of going gas. We called a plumbing company, and they said it would cost between $300 and $500 to move the gas line (It ended up being $450.) We figured that the savings on electricity and the convenience of having instant heat as opposed to slow, electric heat, will cover this cost over the time we're in the house. However, for some reason, gas stoves do not qualify for the tax rebate. Huh? Gas furnaces, yes, but stoves - no? Yup. Thanks Gov't.