Solar power is a renewable energy source that can help you save on your monthly bills or reduce your carbon footprint and may be used for a vast array of applications including cooking. Whether you are camping or just experimenting for fun, building a solar oven can help you understand the science behind solar power, and it makes a fun project for all ages. Read on to learn how to make a solar ...
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Recent Posts in Energy Savings Category
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How to Make a Solar Oven Science Project
December 23, 2019 -
Winter Warm Up: Your New Favorite Dutch Oven Bread Recipe
December 17, 2019 There is no scent that is more familiar, enticing, or comforting than that of freshly baked bread, but for many, the process of mixing and kneading the dough and then waiting for it to rise may seem intimidating. The best way to enjoy the taste and aroma of a warm loaf straight from the oven without all the fuss is with Dutch oven bread—a perfect alternative to a more traditional dough that is ...Continue Reading -
Be Smart About Laundry—Invest in a Smart Washer, Dryer
November 26, 2019 Whether you love it or hate it, laundry is a chore that you can't avoid—but the right appliances can help to make the process much less daunting while saving you valuable time and energy. When it comes time to replace your laundry equipment, a smart washer dryer combo is a great option that gives you the flexibility and freedom to control your equipment from wherever life takes you using any wi-fi ...Continue Reading -
How Does an Air Fryer Work? Your Appliance Explained
November 19, 2019 Deep-fried foods are undeniably delicious, but high levels of fat and cholesterol can render them an unhealthy option for health-conscious individuals, or anyone who is watching their weight. Although it was once a near-impossible task to mimic the crispy exterior and juicy interior of foods that have been cooked in hot oil, air fryer technology has leveled the playing field—but how does an air ...Continue Reading -
The Pros and Cons of a Ventless Dryer
November 12, 2019 According to the Statista.com , close to 81% percent of Canadian households are equipped with a clothes dryer. Whether homeowners choose a gas or electric dryer, nearly all are vented to the outdoors—but there is another option. A ventless dryer is the ideal solution in a number of applications, but if you're on the fence about whether or not one is right for you read on to learn everything you ...Continue Reading -
What a Smart Refrigerator Could Do for Your Kitchen
November 5, 2019 For decades, refrigerators have served the critical purpose of keeping perishable food cold. Many of today’s modern appliances feature smart technology to make life even easier! Explore how a wide array of smart refrigerator features can take your kitchen to the next level. Smart Refrigerator Features Smart refrigerators have a large touchscreen interface and connect to the internet via Wi-Fi. ...Continue Reading -
How Long Do Microwave Ovens Last? The Lifespan of a Microwave
October 22, 2019 While earlier versions of the microwave oven were met with cool reviews due to concerns over safety, size, and price, today, According to a December 2012 study released by Statistics Canada, (the Canadian agency tasked with collecting and publishing statistics) 94.2 percent of households own a microwave oven. This versatile, compact device saves both time and energy on tasks such as cooking and ...Continue Reading -
Dryer Not Drying, Heating, or Spinning? Here’s What to Do
October 15, 2019 With an average lifespan of about 14 years, you can expect to enjoy years of reliable service from your dryer, but a lack of maintenance or old age may cause it to underperform or periodically break down. You can avoid downtime and costly repairs by paying close attention to warning signs and knowing when to call the experts. Read on to learn what to do if your dryer won't spin, heat, or dry, from ...Continue Reading -
How Long Do Dishwashers Last?
October 3, 2019 Dishwashers are a modern convenience that can be found in most kitchens across the nation, and like other common household appliances they have a relatively predictable lifespan. Learn what to expect from your dishwasher and some helpful tips on how to maximize your investment, with expert advice from Mr. Appliance®. How Long Should a Dishwasher Last? There are a number of variables that can ...Continue Reading -
Super Cool Refrigerator History
May 21, 2019 It's hard to imagine your home without a refrigerator, but as little as 100 years ago Canadians relied on alternative methods of food preservation according to the type of food and the surrounding climate. Read on to learn more about the evolution of this modern-day marvel courtesy of the seasoned professionals at Mr. Appliance®, from the old-fashioned icebox to the technologically advanced smart ...Continue Reading -
Create a Timeless Kitchen with Antique Appliances
May 7, 2019 For several generations now, kitchens have included appliances to make life easier. Long gone are the days of stoking the fire, hauling ice to the ice chest, and washing dishes by hand. There’s no arguing the convenience of appliances—the problem is they’re simply an eyesore. If you’re put off by gaudy appliances disrupting the beauty of your carefully selected shaker-style cabinets, butcher block ...Continue Reading -
The Great Debate: Front-Load vs. Top-Load Washing Machine
April 2, 2019 Who comes out on top in the fight against loads and loads of dirty laundry—a front-load or top-load washing machine? If you ask around, you may find that some people with strong opinions will try to steer you in one direction or the other. You may recall that top-load machines ruled the roost while you were growing up, but by the turn of the century, front-loading washing machines took center ...Continue Reading -
Why Is My Ice Maker So Slow?
July 10, 2018 When you press your cup against your freezer’s ice maker dispenser, you expect ice cubes to fall out on cue. But what if your ice maker isn’t making enough ice to keep up demand? There are a few common culprits that might be to blame for this problem. Work through each one until you find the solution. How an Ice Maker Works A switch inside the ice maker triggers water to flow in from the line ...Continue Reading -
How to Defrost a Freezer
June 19, 2018 Many new freezers have a self-defrost feature to keep icy buildup at bay. But if you have an older appliance, you might need to perform this task manually. Removing ice from the walls of your freezer helps it run more efficiently. It also reclaims precious freezer space, so you have more room for frozen dinners and ice cream. If it’s starting to look like the arctic tundra in there, use these ...Continue Reading -
How to Reduce Refrigerator Energy Consumption
June 12, 2018 Refrigerators can be the largest energy consumers in the home making it a primary target if you're looking to cut your energy expenses and reduce your environmental impact. The easiest way to reduce the energy use from your refrigerator is to replace it with a new, energy-efficient model, especially if it's more than 15 years old. The savings in energy consumption will help the fridge pay for ...Continue Reading -
The Most Power-Hungry Home Appliances
June 4, 2018 If your attempts at reducing your electricity usage aren't having the impact that you desire, the problem may be that you have one or more power hungry appliances lurking in your home. Inefficient appliances can wreak havoc on your budget, but the first step to resolving the issue and regaining control over monthly spending is to identify these energy hogs and replace or repair them with more ...Continue Reading -
Your Guide to Energy-Efficient Appliances
May 1, 2018 Energy efficient appliances are an all-around good choice. Not only will you save on your energy bills every month, but you'll also be doing your part for a greener planet. If you're thinking about making the switch to efficient appliances , here's what you need to know. Start With the Basics Energy Star is a program from the Environmental Protection Agency designed to help people make smart ...Continue Reading -
Checklist Urges New Homeowners to Evaluate Old Appliances
March 27, 2018 Appliance inspection isn’t a high priority task for most new homeowners. But with all the work they do to make our lives easier, a quick inspection can help new homeowners avoid expensive repairs. With so much appliance repair experience, Mr. Appliance knows first-hand how a little preventative maintenance can go a long way. The important of appliance inspection was echoed in the New Homeowner ...Continue Reading -
Appliance Cleaning Tips that Can Prevent the Need for Repairs
March 6, 2018 It’s easy to take your kitchen and laundry room appliances for granted, but if you neglect them, you might end up with a premature appliance repair on your hands. Fortunately, a little cleaning goes a long way. Here’s how to maintain some of the major appliances in your home to help prevent repairs in the future. Refrigerator & Freezer Cleaning Tips to Avoid Repair Clean the refrigerator coils: ...Continue Reading -
Broken Appliance: Repair or Replace?
February 9, 2018 Kitchen appliances are a major financial investment, and when one of your appliances has been underperforming or is no longer working, it can be tough to decide whether to repair or replace it. There are several variables to consider before you make your final decision based on your individual needs and circumstances, including whether you are wanting to upgrade your appliances as part of your ...Continue Reading -
How to Get Rid of a Refrigerator
February 2, 2018 When you think about the appliances in your kitchen that you rely on most, odds are the refrigerator is somewhere near the top of the list, if not the very first item on that list. However, like all other appliances, refrigerators don't last forever . At some point, you're going to have to replace your old refrigerator, or you're just going to want to upgrade it in order to take advantage of the ...Continue Reading -
Resolve to Take Better Care of Your Appliances
December 29, 2017 It's hard not to take your appliances for granted - you use them so often that they've become a normal part of your day-to-day life, to the point where you don't even give much thought to their use. However, once an appliance begins having issues or, even worse, breaks down, you suddenly realize what an important function it played in your life. Because of this, you should make taking care of your ...Continue Reading -
3 Easy Steps to Cleaning the Refrigerator Coils
October 25, 2017 Your refrigerator’s coils work to compress and cool the refrigerant chemical in the appliance. Dirt, dust and pet hair can accumulate on a refrigerator’s condenser coils, which makes them work less efficiently. Try to clean them every six months by using a brush and vacuum cleaner to keep the machine working efficiently. If you have dogs or cats who shed hair frequently, it may be best to complete ...Continue Reading -
How to Keep Your Outdoor Appliances Safe from the Elements
May 10, 2017 If you recently installed an outdoor kitchen, or you’re still contemplating making this upgrade in your backyard, you want the investment to last for many years. This means choosing the right appliances and taking steps to protect them from harsh storms and cold winter weather. Here’s how. Indoor vs. Outdoor Appliances At the very least, every outdoor kitchen needs a built-in stainless steel ...Continue Reading -
8 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Garage Refrigerator
April 12, 2017 With summer almost here, you are probably planning for your kids being out of school for a few months. With their release come lots of play dates and little ones running in and out of the house throughout the season. You might be preparing for this by putting extra sodas and snacks in your refrigerator and preparing some easy meals; but you can quickly run out of space… so what do you do? Take ...Continue Reading -
To Dry or Not to Dry: Which Fabrics Go in the Dryer?
March 31, 2017 Laundry day is a day that many dread; for some, it’s the folding, for others it’s the sorting. There are many woes that people have about laundry. However something that many don’t understand is what they can and cannot put in the dryer. We have all been there: you put your favorite shirt in the dryer and pull it out, only to see that it is now a shirt fit for a small child. It’s not a good ...Continue Reading -
Get Your Laundry Room Organized Before You Do Anything Else
January 17, 2017 Now that the busy holidays are over, you can focus on getting your home organized for the New Year. Before you do anything else, get your laundry room organized to create a more functional space. Whether you have a small or big budget, little or large space to work with, get inspired by these tips to organize the laundry room. Laundry Room Organization on a Small Budget Even when you don’t have a ...Continue Reading -
What is the Lifespan of your Refrigerator?
July 21, 2016 Have you owned your refrigerator for a few years? Are you unsure how much longer you can expect it to last? Learn the typical refrigerator lifespan so you can plan ahead when the time for appliance replacement looms near. You can even adopt tips to help your refrigerator provide efficient service for as long as possible. How Long Does a Refrigerator Last? According to the 23rd annual portrait of ...Continue Reading -
Clean Laundry Jokes
May 17, 2016 Like doing the dishes, laundry is one of those household chores with which you’re never truly done! In honor of National Humor Month , we decided to gather up some of the best laundry-related jokes to make the chore a bit less of a bore. Go ahead and procrastinate folding your clothes by reading some of our clean jokes. 1.Q: How much fun is washing your clothes? A: Loads. 2.Q: What happened to the ...Continue Reading -
Creative Drying Racks
May 9, 2016 Running your dryer less often is also a good way to save energy and money. Plus, some clothes are just too delicate for the dryer. To help your little black dress, wool sweater and favorite lingerie last longer, it’s better to air dry these items. But what if you don’t have a drying rack? You can easily make your own so you have a dedicated space to hang clothing you don’t want to run through the ...Continue Reading -
Recycle your Laundry Detergent Bottle
April 27, 2016 Recycling newspapers, aluminum cans and glass has become part of the everyday routine and lifestyles for many homes and businesses. Most detergent and fabric softener bottles even have a layer of recycled plastic in them. Yet, there is still a lot more that we can do. According to dosomething.org , the average person generates over 4 pounds of trash every day and about 1.5 tons of solid waste per ...Continue Reading -
Dryer Sheets Versus Fabric Softener
April 8, 2016 Which Is Better? Okay, so we all know that using dryer sheets or fabric softener will make your clothes smell fresh and help reduce wrinkles. But, when faced with the choice on the grocery store laundry aisle, which do you pick? We interviewed a mom we know, and did a little online research to get to the bottom of the fresh-laundry face-off. Fabric Softener: Benefits We interviewed a mom we know, ...Continue Reading -
Warning Signs for Appliances
February 25, 2016 As you go about your day, you rely on home appliances more than you probably realize. Only when something goes wrong do you appreciate how dependent you are on your refrigerator, washer and dryer, hot water heater, dishwasher, and oven. Learn how to tell if you should schedule appliance repair and when to opt for a replacement instead. Signs Your Appliances Need Attention The appliance won’t turn ...Continue Reading -
Cool Runnings
May 8, 2015 You work hard in your kitchen, but is your kitchen working too hard for you? To keep your refrigerator in top shape, remember to limit the number of times you open the refrigerator door. The air suction created by the action of opening the door causes the refrigerator to lose more air than if the door were left open a little longer. Also, keep the refrigerator and freezer moderately full. Cooled ...Continue Reading -
Spring Your Stovetop
April 29, 2015 Put a spring in your stove by helping your kitchen conserve energy. If your stove has radiant or halogen burners, always have a pot or pan on the burner when you turn it on to start heating immediately. A cold pot that comes in contact with a hot burner could cause a crack in the stove. Also, remember to keep electric and gas burners clean. Clean burners reflect heat better and use energy more ...Continue Reading -
Open the Door to Green Savings
April 29, 2015 Make your fridge work for you and save some energy. As the months begin to warm up with spring and summer weather, take the time to use what you’ve got with these tips that will not only color your energy green but your pocket too. A Healthy Fridge 1. Your schedule is not the only thing packed during the week, with parties, potluck dinners and your kid’s friends, so is your fridge. Your fridge is ...Continue Reading -
Dishwasher Dilemma
April 29, 2015 March is the season to spring clean your home, why not spring clean your appliances too? Solve all of your dishwasher dilemmas with these simple and efficient dishwasher maintenace and energy tips. Eliminate a step from your cleaning process- no more pre-rinse! Save up to 20 gallons of water by hand-scraping your dishes, instead of running water for your pre-rinse. Not only will this save on water ...Continue Reading -
Go Green: Make Your Appliances Energy-Efficient
April 29, 2015 When you step inside your home you should see green. As a matter of fact, the greener…the better. Why green? Three reasons: A green home has lower energy costs A green home has a positive impact on the environment. A green home simply doesn’t use as many of our earth’s valuable natural resources. So, just out of curiosity, how green is your home? If you don’t know, Mr. Appliance® has some ...Continue Reading -
Evolve Your Home This Earth Day
April 29, 2015 Celebrate Earth Day by making an effort to live a green lifestyle and grow some green in your pocket, too. This month, make an effort to break old habits and take a step away from energy-waste to energy-smart. “By maintaining your appliances regularly, you can extend the life of your investment and save energy,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance®. “The harder an appliance has to work to ...Continue Reading -
Get the Dishwasher Dish
April 29, 2015 Cooking, baking and living in a green kitchen lifestyle is as simple as making a few changes to your dishwashing routines. Eliminate a step from your cleaning process- no more pre-rinse! Save up to 20 gallons of water by hand-scraping your dishes, instead of running water for your pre-rinse. Not only will this save on water waste, but it can save your glassware, too! Dishwasher detergent is ...Continue Reading -
Wash Some Green Into Your Laundry
April 29, 2015 By Lillyan Baker Wash out your family’s green grass stains and wash in even more green savings. The laundry room can be the busiest room in your house, and if your washer and dryer aren’t performing at their best, it could show up on your energy bill. It may be time to give your family’s laundry habits an energy-saving makeover. “Busy schedules and full households can cause lots of wear and tear ...Continue Reading -
Welcome in the New Year
April 28, 2015 New year, new opportunities indicates weekly trips to the gym, carrots instead of candy and an opportunity to break bad habits. How about a resolution that goes beyond 2012 and keeps your children and home safe for years to come? This year, make it a priority to childproof your kitchen and clean beyond the countertops to keep your family happy and healthy all year long. “Your kitchen never gets a ...Continue Reading -
Green Laundry
April 28, 2015 Wash out your family’s green grass stains and wash in even more green savings. The laundry room can be the busiest room in your house, and if your washer and dryer aren’t performing at their best, it could show up on your energy bill. It may be time to give your family’s laundry habits an energy-saving makeover. “Busy schedules and full households can cause lots of wear and tear on laundry room ...Continue Reading -
The Green Load
April 21, 2015 Since doing laundry is not something we can avoid, let’s make it our mission this Earth Day to be a friend to Mother Earth and reduce the energy used by the washing machine and dryer. Did you know that the average American family washes 300 loads of laundry a year? At 68 cents per load, this adds up to a yearly total of $204. Nearly 90% of energy used by your washing machine is used to heat water, ...Continue Reading -
Benefits of Dryer Vent Cleaning
April 13, 2015 You can save money and reduce fire risk with regular dryer vent cleanings. Call your local Mr. Appliance® today and schedule your next dryer vent cleaning.Continue Reading -
Rockin' Green Resolutions
April 28, 2013 1. It’s Obvious – Recycle. Did You Know? The energy saved from recycling a single aluminum can will operate a television for three hours! Think of ways to recycle cans, bottles, plastic and paper in your house. Get the kids in on it – it can be fun! 2. Say NO to “Paper or Plastic?” Next time you are headed to the grocery store don’t forget to bring along a recycable tote in cotton, jute or nylon ...Continue Reading