The bill is to create “green” jobs, stimulate the economy, and reduce green house emissions. The ones stimulating the economy will be the ones making the purchases for the new appliances. Provided one can afford them, but wait! If one is considered low-income, you can get a low-interest rate loan to help you buy all these new appliances. Isn’t this one of the ways that got us into this problem to begin with, encouraging those that cannot afford the loan to buy anyway? 

I have read the bill and found that the federal government will require states to adopt building codes that will meet Energy Star standards. Some have stated though I feel that perhaps overblown that all households will be required to submit to an energy audit and will have to meet code or face stiff penalties. However, indications that electric bills will increase significantly enough to encourage households to replace older energy eating, global warming, pollution spewing dishwashers, refrigerators, air-conditioners and clothes washers; while ranges, microwaves and clothes dryers are, at least for now, not Energy Star rated. Televisions have recently started showing the Energy Star on some models.

Another interesting feature in the bill was that new appliances would also have Smart-Grid capability, which means from what I understand is the power company at peak times could turn off your appliance. Personally, I would want to keep the smart grid power stupid government out of my house. However, they promise lower electric bills if one should purchase such an appliance. 

My recommendation would be to purchase a tankless gas water heater. They only heat the water when the hot water tap is turned on. Once the water is heated, it stays hot until you are finished. You save a bundle on the electric usage by the way, though, pricier than the standard water heater.

Maybe we should figure out how much this is going to cost to upgrade to Energy-Star appliances. I’m not sure how old the dishwasher is but Elvis might have been on the top of the charts, and Wilma Flintstone may have once used the built in wall oven.  I was assured that replacing the appliances would lower energy consumption. They don’t make wall units the size of mine anymore, which is strange since a smaller unit would be more efficient. Another problem is that to replace the oven would mean that we would have to remodel the kitchen. Now there’s a job creation right there.  Whoever designed my kitchen must not of had children nor considered traffic patterns in and out of the house. The oven is right in front of the kitchen door that goes into the garage. I can almost imagine 5  to 8 year olds chasing each other with water pistols while their mother tried to get dinner in or out of the oven.

If you remember my article about shopping for a vehicle, my husband would rather have a triple root canal, while listening to Tiny Tim singing Tip Toe Through the Tulips than  discuss remodeling the kitchen; both of which being equally painful to the ears and wallet.

Good news for my husband, we won’t have to replace the oven and range top at least for now. We should replace the dishwasher and refrigerator as more efficient models are available. We found that the less expensive “Plain Jane” no icemaker, or water dispenser in the door was the most energy efficient.

Dishwashers, now have both energy saving and water saving features, my preference was one with a stainless-steel tub that reduced the energy need and more sanitary than the plastic lined tubs. Some dishwashers feature a hybrid condensing drying system, not sure what all that means, at least sounds good.

So how much money was this going to set us back for two new appliances, tax, delivery, installation and removal the old? $1,542.00 Ah, but they have an easy payment plan no interest if you pay off the balance within two years. However, if you miss a payment, interest rates can go as high as 30% not good if you cannot afford to purchase the items to begin with.

So here we are again with another wonderful idea from Congress, that is going to cost a bundle to a lot of us. At least most of those in Congress can afford all new appliances. I for one cannot.

 

Candace Clark
Christian Political View