Frigidaire washer

How old are your washer and dryer? If you can’t remember, odds are they’re nearing their golden years: Washers last about 11 years and dryers about 12, according to the Department of Energy. And we usually hold onto them as long as they work.

Here’s some household math: The typical U.S. family spends almost $2,000 a year on utility bills. Of that, heating water consumes about $240, and appliances eat up $180. That average family also washes about 400 loads of laundry a year, according to federal statistics.

The washer and dryer are the second and third biggest energy-eating appliances in your house (after the refrigerator), and up to 90 percent of that energy is used to heat water. If you use hot water to wash clothes and warm water to rinse, you may be spending up to 10 times more money on that load than if you opted for a cold wash/rinse, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy says.

Speaking of water, most older washers use about 35 gallons of water per cycle – more than you use to shower or bathe. Compare that to about 15 gallons used by new energy-efficient washers, according to the Department of Energy.

Which style of washing machine is the least energy efficient? The kind that you probably have – a top-loading model with an agitator in the center, which is the style that’s in 75 percent of homes today, according to Consumer Reports.

If your washer is more than 10 years old, a new Energy Star-rated washer could save $135 a year. Energy Star is the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy program that identifies the most energy-efficient appliances, and provides information for consumers.

Now that we know our old washing machines are sucking up energy, why is it so hard for us to toss the old energy gluttons? “A lot of people are aware of energy efficiency, but it’s very hard for Americans because we don’t want to throw things out that still work,” Maria Vargas of the federal Energy Star program said. (And many enviros say using something until it collapses can be greener than buying new. So no worries if that applies to you.)

WHEN IT’S TIME FOR A NEW MACHINE

When you think about buying a washer in particular, there are really two price tags: the one you pay up front, another that you pay over time to operate it.

There isn’t as much high-tech evolution in the dryer market, and no federal ratings because older models use about as much energy as new ones. However, newer dryers have sensitive moisture sensors inside the drum that will turn the dryer off when clothes are dry, an improvement over excessive drying that eats energy and wears out clothes.

Today’s greener washers can use about 30 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than your current one, the Energy Star website says.

Another way to look at it. A washing machine made between 1994 and 2003 probably uses about 904 kilowatt hours of electricity a year. A similar new Energy Star-rated machine would consume about 192 kilowatt hours annually, according to Whirlpool.

What do these new energy-efficient machines do differently?

Among their features:

• Automatic adjustment of the water level to fit the size of the load

• Front-loading washers are usually more energy efficient, but new top-loaded machines without the agitator also use less water than the older versions. Both gently swish and spin clothes through less water.

• Larger machines mean more clothes per load, which means fewer washings. Shorter washing cycles mean more loads washed in a day.

• Faster, longer spin cycles remove more water, which mean less dryer time (although that can result in tangled clothes).

• Fewer suds from “high efficiency” detergent means less water is needed and fewer potentially troublesome surfactants in the water.

There may be sales tax exemptions or credits, rebates and even recycling incentives for a new washer. Some states have their own efficiency standards and tax breaks/rebates. You can research on the rebate section of the Energy Star website. Retailers should also have information about rebates and trading in your old washer.

Among the new bells and whistles? Soil sensors, machines that assess the weight of the load and type of fabric, automatic temperature controls, more wash and rinse cycle options, higher quality lids or tops (stainless steel), automatic dispensers of detergent and fabric softener, steam cleaning, time-delays and touchpad controls.

Kenmore’s front-loading 4027 model was rated at the top of Consumer Reports most recent rating of washing machines.

Once you’ve decided what size washer and dryer you need, and your price range, start looking for labels.

Every new washer should have a big yellow EnergyGuide label that proves the appliance meets the minimum energy standards set by the federal government. The label offers two bits of information: A comparison of that washing machine’s energy use with similar washers, and an estimate of how much you will pay annually for energy to run the washer.

The second label to look for is the Energy Star, a designation for the most efficient machines. Only 25 percent of washers have the label, says Vargas. Early next year, Energy Star will raise the bar and require a higher level of efficiency before a washing machine can get their label.

The Energy Star program has its critics, including energy-efficiency and consumer groups, states and independent reviewers. After audits found Energy Star’s scrutiny of manufacturers’ claims were not stringent enough (several bogus products were submitted and received approval), the government said in April it would improve the certification process.

Despite the criticism, Energy Star ratings are among the few independent assessments of washer energy efficiency. So to understand those ratings, learn about two key terms:

Modified Energy Factor (MEF): The most important number, it represents the total amount of energy to run the washer, heat the water and run the dryer. The higher the MEF, the more efficient the washing machine. To get the Energy Star label, a washing machine must have a minimum MEF of 1.8. Top-rated washers have MEFs of 3.3.

The Water Factor is simpler. It shows how many gallons of water a machine will use based on its size for an average load. The smaller the Water Factor (WF) the more efficient the washer. The minimum WF for an Energy Star rating is 7.5 gallons. (The most efficient washers on the market have WF’s of only 2.65-2.7 gallons.)

MORE SHOPPING TIPS

Another rating system is from the Consortium of Energy Efficiency. It divides energy-efficient appliances into three tiers of “super efficiency,” two of which exceed Energy Star minimum requirements. You can look at their ratings online.

On the Energy Star website, start by narrowing the list with your preferences in size, type or brand. Then click “Find Clothes Washers” to reach the washer ratings. They appear in alphabetical order by manufacturer, but you can change the ratings to find washers with the highest MEFs and the lowest WFs.

Here you may run into some confusion, because the top five model numbers on the site don’t match model numbers in stores or online. That’s because three new Whirlpool and two new Maytag models aren’t in stores yet. They will arrive in October, according to a Whirlpool representative

Other model numbers also may not match up exactly with those in a store. That’s because model numbers can vary based on the retailer. Usually, the first four or more numbers/letters in the model number on the Energy Star site will correlate with the model number of the washer in the store.

If you’re not sure, ask the retailer or study the product information to see if it lists the MEF and WF ratings. Unfortunately, even that may not tell you whether the machine you are looking at is the same as the one on the Energy Star site — so the “star” could lose a little of its luster when you hit the store.

By Barbara Kessler

Raw milk has enjoyed growing consumer attention in recent years as people have learned that it retains nutrients better than commercial milk that has undergone high-heat pasteurization.

Industrial milk producers, however, have fought this trend, painting raw milk as risky or no better nutritionally. This has led to what the Organic Consumers Association and others call the “milk wars”, in which state legislatures have been asked to either tighten or relax the laws regulating the sale of raw milk. The OCA supports raw milk producers and retailers, calling access to this natural farm product “a right” that should not be fairly regulated for safety, but not overly regulated to squash competition.

At least 10 states concur and allow the sale of raw milk at farmers markets and other venues; 15 more states allow sales at the farm. Advocates defend the sale of raw milk as supporting the consumer’s right to choose, as well as local economies, because raw milk is typically sold by small, family-owned dairies. (Last year’s battleground was in Massachusetts, where the state tried to shutdown milk buying “clubs” that bought raw milk at the farm and distributed it to members. This year the battle is moving to Minnesota, where three state legislators want to open up raw milk sales, but big industry and state regulators have said this would be too dangerous.)

Ramy Jisha, who with her husband Kent Jisha, owns Texas Daily Harvest, an organic dairy in North Texas, says her family is committed to selling organic milk produced by Jersey cows that are mainly pasture fed because it is healthier for humans and better for the cows.

Like other raw milk producers in Texas, the Jishas are not allowed to sell raw milk at farmer’s markets because state law forbids it. But legislation is in the works to change that and broaden market access to raw milk. The Jishas do sell raw milk at their farm northeast of Dallas, and they sell low-temperature pasteurized milk at market, which meets state requirements but has not been as highly heated the conventional milk sold in groceries.

In our video, Ramy Jisha explains how mass milk production came to rely on high heat pasteurization, and how the Jishas’ milk, though produced differently, is safe and rich. (A bonus: Raw milk forms cream at the top, so buyers get milk and a cup or so of heavy cream in each gallon. If you grew up on a farm, this will be no surprise.)

Ramy points out that raw milk has had a strong niche following for years, noting that the Weston A. Price Foundation has been advocating for more naturally produced and less processed milk for decades. The Foundation encourages the consumption of raw, whole milk from cows properly fed a grass or pastured diet. They are careful to warn that this wholesome milk comes from clean, responsible farms that feed and treat their animals properly. Low-fat or raw milk produced by “conventional” dairies cannot substitute for this sort of milk because without the butterfat, it loses the qualities that protect it from bacteria. The Price Foundation’s advice: Know your farmer.

That said, raw milk has many advocates among the slow food and local food movements.

Texas’ Farmers and Ranchers Freedom Alliance (FARFA), for instance, supports the expansion of consumer access to raw milk in the belief that raw milk is healthier and can sustain rural economies and the smaller farms that sell raw milk.

Here are some points about the health benefits of raw milk collected by the Weston A. Price Foundation.(You can see the original sources at their webpage.)

• BENEFITS IN HUMAN STUDIES: In early studies involving humans, raw milk was shown to be superior to pasteurized in protecting against infection, rickets, and TB; and children receiving raw milk had better growth than those receiving pasteurized milk.

• BENEFITS IN ANIMAL STUDIES: In an early animal study, animals fed raw milk had better growth, less anemia, fewer signs of anxiety and stress, and fewer signs of nutrient deficiency than animals fed pasteurized milk.

• ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES: Several recent studies in Europe have found that drinking “farm” (raw) milk protects against asthma and allergies.

• RAW HUMAN MILK: Infants and premature babies on pasteurized human milk did not gain weight as quickly as those fed raw human milk; problems were attributed to pasteurization’s destruction of lipase.10 In another study, neonates given raw human milk had a markedly lower incidence of infection than those who received pasteurized human milk and formula.

• LACTOSE INTOLERANCE: In a survey of milk drinkers in the state of Michigan, over 80% of those advised by a healthcare professional that they were lactose intolerant were able to consume raw milk without problem.

• POSITIVE TESTIMONIALS: There are hundreds of testimonials involving reversal of failure to thrive in infants; allergies, asthma and behavior problems in children; and digestive disorders, arthritis, osteoporosis and even cancer in adults.

Lack of rain calls for wiser usage of water this spring. Image: friscogreenliving.com

Persisting drought and a reduced, regional water supply due to the potential threat of zebra mussels are two more reasons why Frisco residents need to use water wisely.

As a result, the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) which supplies water to Frisco, as well as 45 other cities and communities, will initiate Stage 1 of its Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Plan beginning April 19.

“The good thing is, our own plan meets all the conditions of the district’s (NTMWD) Stage 1 requirements,” said Gary Hartwell, Director of Public Works. “For Frisco residents, there are no surprises, no changes and no new requirements.”

The City of Frisco’s Water Management Plan is in effect year round. The city’s plan imposes time of day restrictions and recommends limiting outdoor watering to two-days-per-week during Daylight Saving Time (DST), which started March 13. Each year outdoor watering is not allowed between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. and between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. during DST.

The watering schedule coincides with residents’ trash and recycling service day plus an additional day. The restrictions apply to automatic sprinkler systems. To find out information about your additional watering day, go to www.friscotexas.gov/water. Hand watering, soaker hoses and drIp bubbler systems are allowed any time of year. This year DST runs through November 6.

Since meteorologists are forecasting moderate to extreme drought this summer, Hartwell says there is renewed urgency for Frisco residents to use water wisely. During the April 4 City Council meeting, Hartwell reminded residents to subscribe to weekly watering advisories which use data from Frisco’s electronic weather station and comes to residents, via e-mail. Residents can sign up for the free, e-news service by going to www.friscotexas.gov/water. There, residents can also find information about the city’s free, irrigation check-up program.

Due to last year’s weather patterns, the City of Frisco reports watering wasn’t necessary 25 weeks out of the year. The city did recommend residents water once-a-week for another 24 weeks. “We recommended folks water twice a week during just three weeks last year,” said Hartwell. “We’ll be fine if we all use water wisely.”

In 2009, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department discovered zebra mussels in Sister Grove Creek, a tributary of the East Fork of the Trinity River and used by NTMWD to transfer water from Lake Texoma. While zebra mussels do not affect water quality, they are destructive to pipelines, boats and other hard surfaces and often result in costly repairs.

NTMWD was instructed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop pumping water supplies from Lake Texoma in an effort to reduce the risk of infesting other area lakes; however, the end result is a loss of 22.5% of the district’s water supply.

“We can’t afford to waste water,” said Hartwell. “If everyone does their part, we can help NTMWD meet its goal of reducing water use by two percent.”

For additional information, contact Melody Emadiazar, Water Education Coordinator, memadiazar@friscotexas.gov, 972-292-5814.