A Guide to Buying your Next Appliances
There is nothing more frustrating than designing a kitchen, incorporating appliances into the design, and then having one of them break down. It’s crucial to purchase appliances that will last for ages in your kitchen, but with climate change at the forefront, keeping them out of the landfill has never been more important.
As a designer, I’m required to source and purchase appliances quite frequently for our clients and have learned a lot over the years. While I feel comfortable understanding the pros and cons of many brands, when it came to understanding which appliances and companies are better for the environment and ultimately more sustainable, I decided to reach out to my appliance experts at Caplan’s Appliances, a family-owned local company with over 75 years in the business, to help direct me to the right information. What I learned was astounding and crucial if you are on the hunt for appliances or know someone who will be in the future.
Here are my Top 8 Sustainable Appliance Tips for you to consider:
Sustainable Versus Eco-Friendly:
First and foremost, the key feature of a sustainable appliance is its ability to stay out of the landfill. To achieve this, it needs to be extremely well-manufactured to sustain a long lifespan and should also have components that are easily recyclable. Ultimately, these actions taken by the manufacturer don’t compromise the future environment. Eco-friendly, on the other hand, focuses on minimizing the risk to the environment, including using less energy, etc.
Best Current Sustainable Appliance Technologies:
The induction cooktop is one of the hottest sustainable technologies, endorsed by even the most famous chefs around the world. Not only does it maintain a consistent temperature, but it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately improves home air quality. Fun fact: did you know that the technology was first developed around WWII and has been fine-tuned for residential and commercial use over the last 25 years? Another favorite is dishwashers and washing machines that use minimal water, contributing to less sewage. The tier level of the appliance will indicate how efficient it is.
Understanding the Federal Government Sustainable Appliance Tier System:
Each appliance in Canada is ranked according to an energy tier system created by the Federal Government. Tier 1 is the standard. Tier 2 has a better energy rating, with Tier 3 being the end goal that all manufacturers ultimately strive for. Current brands that are reaching Tier 3 standards with some of their products include Miele, Fisher Paykel, and some Sub-Zero refrigerators.
Sustainable Appliances versus Conventional Appliances:
Typically, more sustainable appliances cost 20% more than conventional ones, which can seem steep at first. But when you factor in that the life cycle for many of these appliances is 60% longer than conventional ones, it seems like a no-brainer.
Most Sustainable Appliance Brands:
Miele is by far the number one most sustainable appliance manufacturing company. Not only are they working tirelessly to reduce their carbon footprint, but they also boast a 20-year life cycle for their appliances and are working toward the goal of making their appliances 100% recyclable. I can personally attest to this, having had my Miele dishwasher for over 10 years without any problems. Low water usage and energy consumption are key features of each of their appliances. Fisher Paykel, Sub-Zero, Jenn-Air, and Wolf are also blazing the way with their sustainable initiatives.
The Most Sustainable Appliances on the Market:
Currently, Fisher Paykel refrigeration, Miele dishwashers, and some Miele cooking appliances and refrigerators are at a Tier 3 level. Also found at this level are Jenn-Air induction cooktops and Miele Little Giants washers and dryers, which boast hospital-grade sanitation for your laundry!
Recycling Your Old Appliances:
Properly recycling your old appliances is crucial to sustainability. Many local governments and appliance retailers offer recycling programs, so be sure to take advantage of these to keep your old appliances out of the landfill. Did you know that the metals from your old appliances, including copper, galvanized steel, and stainless steel components, are all recycled? Miele goes one step further and also recycles the balance of the appliance components—plastics, electric control, and circuit boards. In fact, they are sold to another recycling company, which then sells them back to Miele to build their new appliances. Circularity and sustainability are at the front and center of Miele’s mission and vision as exemplified by these practices.
How to Maximize the Lifespan of Your Appliance:
Start by choosing manufacturers that focus on producing appliances with longevity. Reviewing the company and appliance warranties is a great first step. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the appliance are also essential. For example, did you know that you should regularly vacuum your refrigerator coils?
If it wasn’t already difficult enough to know what to look for in your appliances, now I’ve thrown another important curveball to consider: sustainability and the longevity of your appliances. I truly hope these tips help you on your journey. Remember to reach out to a reputable company like Caplans to answer any of your other questions. I know personally that there is nothing more frustrating than buying an appliance that’s a ‘lemon’ and knowing that it’s going directly into the landfill because it can’t be fixed. Looking to the long term is the pathway forward to purchasing sustainable appliances. We are lucky to have leaders in this industry like Miele blazing the trail for other manufacturers to follow. I look forward to the day, sooner rather than later, when companies other than Miele start planting a tree for every dishwasher sold. I hope that day is just around the corner.