My stove is homicidal. My AC is suicidal over hitting the big 3-0. If I
don't get a dishwasher, the skin on my hands might actually fall off.
But help is on the way. The feds are launching a Cash for Clunkers-like
program (wow, that phrase was a clunker) for appliances.
The states will administer the program. That means Illinois may not
participate, or could restrict the program to Cook County or something.
If it is offered to us though, you'd save $50 to $200 on the purchase of
Energy Star appliances -- and you don't even have to haul the old one in.
It's seen as a way to get people spending (and get appliance manufacturers
hiring) and to cut energy use at the same time.
For me, it means I might be able to get a dishwasher. I already have my eye
on a sweet little Whirpool Energy Star one. The AC will probably have to
wait because they are EXPENSIVE, but I feel bad using my energy guzzler.
My stove is actually leaking gas, so I had to break down and get one that
won't kill me. But there's no such thing as an Energy Star stove, so I had
no qualms about getting one now, other than spending the money.
Expect announcements in November or early next year about how the program
will work in Illinois.
Julie Todd is the night editor at The Herald News in Joliet. She and her
husband are looking to cut the chemicals and get back to basics -- minus the
granola and hemp clothing. They live in a home they bought last year in
Plainfield, where they're making changes to create their own little patch of
utopia.
*sigh* I have no clunkers of any kind so no money for me.
As for your AC, you know it would be the best use of clunker money. Yes it's costly but old old AC units are using so inefficient and use so much more energy than they need to PLUS you will add value to your home once you replace it, if that matters to you and if it's even possible.
I wish I could live without AC. I can't. I tried. I have in the last week turned the thing off 100% when the daytime high was in the 70's but I had to turn it on for one day (the mother was hot) and so it's still on. Maybe it can go off tonight without anyone noticing? I grew up to the ripe old age of 25 without AC and now don't even think of taking my AC. What happened?
But my real comment is what average homeowner has money for anything these days with or without clunker cash?
I agree that the AC would be the best choice, but even with clunker cash, I don't think I have the wallet for it. I'd love to be someone who says, "Ten thou? Do you prefer cash or credit?" Instead, I'm a "Ten dollars? Wait, lemme see if I have a coupon" kind of girl.
I,too, don't do well without AC. I'm a little ashamed. We had a window unit when I was a kid but it only cooled the dining room. On really hot nights, we'd turn it on and all sleep on the floor there. But I got spoiled by central air. I definitely wait longer to turn it on than my husband would prefer, but I don't sweat in silence either. :)
And you're right about the money thing. I suspect this is going to be mostly used by people that still have plenty of funds (but maybe wouldn't have bought new) so they stimulate production. The other big factor will be people who must replace a washer or refrigerator because the old one broke.
The solution to the AC problem for me is a whole house fan which I have installed in our main hallway. After coming home after work, I open the windows and turn on the fan. Soon the cool night air has made the whole house comfortable and I'm able to shut the fan down. It keeps the temperature nice, for what I'm guessing is a fraction of the energy usage of running the AC all the time.
I LOVE whole-house fans. And, with our little ranch, that would make a big difference on the cheap with little electricity being used.
I had one in a previous apartment and could drop the house temp 10-15 degrees in 10 minutes with the fan. Loved it.
The only time a fan wouldn't suffice is those hot, horrible, humid days where even moving air is still miserable air.