Are You Really Saving Money?

If you’ve purchased a washing machine or dishwasher in the last few years, your model probably includes economy settings. Now is a good time to ask yourself if you have ever used the appliance in conservation mode? There can be good reasons to use, or not use, the eco-settings on your plumbing installations. Read on to learn more about when economy settings are a good idea, and when they could actually end up costing you more in utility bills.

Just about every energy star-certified dishwasher, washing machine and water heater has a setting that allows you to conserve even more. Eco-settings for plumbing installations save you money twice, once for a reduction in water consumption, and once more by using less electricity or gas to heat the water.

However, there is another side to this story. In some cases, the option can decrease the performance of your appliance to the point where it doesn’t meet your standards. If the eco-setting can’t accomplish the job that the appliance is designed for, it doesn’t do you much good for saving water, energy or money. Worse, if the dishwasher or washing machine doesn’t get things sufficiently clean, you have to run it twice, using more energy than you would if you just operated it in the normal mode.

Buyer Beware

Where you can really run into trouble with economy settings is if you purchase an appliance based on its conservation claims, only to find that the reduced mode doesn’t perform satisfactorily. In many cases, you might be better off buying a different unit altogether. That’s why it’s important to look beyond the energy star rating and check out consumer reviews of the products you buy so you get a sense of how they have worked for other people.

Finally, don’t forget that your own behavior plays a role in an appliance’s performance as well. If you overload a washer or dishwasher, or use settings inappropriate for the task, they might not work properly whether in economy mode or not. Make sure you are following all the manufacturer’s instructions for a device before deciding that the eco-setting is what is causing the problem.

Choosing Wisely

It can be hard choosing from so many appliances to find the model that works best for you. If you need help picking out economical appliances or plumbing installations contact us today for our expert opinion.