Werner and Mary Braun: Energy Star?

Published 6:41 pm Thursday, February 16, 2017

Have you ever heard of the Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star program? I actually got involved with Energy Star when I was still gainfully employed at the Carpet and Rug Institute. We were trying to get an Energy Star category for flooring, but that’s a story for another day.

According to the EPA website: “Saving energy makes a difference. How you use energy can have a big impact. Saving energy reduces electricity demand and pollution. The best way you can help is to use energy wisely. Every time you save energy, it helps make the world better, cleaner and healthier for all of us.”

It is my sense that most everyone would agree with these noble sentiments but let me share some personal experiences.

Not long ago our hot water heater gave up the ghost so we took the opportunity to buy an Energy Star hot water heater. Our new water heater had some pluses and some minuses. It did save some energy and some money and if it lasts 12 years, it will pay for the higher purchase price. (The same story as energy efficient light bulbs.) Another benefit is that you won’t scald yourself even with the hot water all the way up. Unfortunately, if you like to take really hot showers, you are out of luck.

As fate would have it, a short time after replacing the water heater our dishwasher died, as well. I’m obviously a slow learner. You guessed it. We bought an Energy Star dishwasher. After a few days, Mary reported that the dishes weren’t getting dry and she had to hand dry them. So off I go to the local big box store to report that the new dishwasher isn’t working right. No problem; they’d send out a service guy.

Next day the service guy shows up. I notice right away that he’s not carrying any tools, not even a flashlight. He asks, “What seems to be the problem?” Mary says, “The dishes aren’t getting dry.” Without ever looking at the machine, he says he knows what the problem is. Really? “You have an Energy Star water heater, right?” Well, yes we do. The guy says your water isn’t hot enough. What? Are you kidding? The answer: Run the “hot” water in the sink until it’s as hot as it will get and only then start your dishwasher. Oh, by the way, buy a product that will make the water “sheet” off the dishes. Summary: We run water down the drain and buy a “sheeting” product and most of the dishes are almost dry. Perfect.

Being concerned about the environment and verifying that we are indeed slow learners, we just bought an Energy Star washing machine and clothes dryer. Stay tuned. This should be fun!

Werner and Mary Braun live in Dalton. He is the retired president of the Dalton-based Carpet and Rug Institute.