Finding the right appliances for your condo that are energy-efficient is not an easy task to do, especially if you don’t know which one consumes the least amount of power possible. Having energy-saving appliances not only will help you save money in the long run, but it can also transform your condo to be more eco-friendly and nicer to live in.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators are some of the bulkiest appliances out there, they also require a constant stream of energy to function, unlike other appliances on this list. Refrigerators need to be plugged in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so your fruits and vegetables won’t rot, so you can reheat and eat your leftovers, make your beverage cool, and keep your frozen goods from spoiling. Indeed, fridges are one of the most useful inventions out there. The golden rule is if you’re planning to save more energy in the future, you should spend more cash to get one. Select a style and size that will match your condo design aesthetic as well as if the size is ideal for the space you’re planning to put in your refrigerator. There should be enough room when the door is open and has enough clearance on the back for proper ventilation. Look for appliances with an Energy Star logo on them, and you should also find the Energy Guide Label, this yellow and black label is required by the FTC to be included in all new appliances (except kitchen ranges, microwave ovens, and clothes dryers). It declares the estimated annual energy consumption of the appliance. Reading it will help you compare the efficiency or annual energy use of competing brands and similar models.
Air conditioners
It’s easy to prioritize an air conditioner’s horsepower because after all, what we want is an appliance capable of bringing the chilly goodness especially when it’s summer. What we forgot while buying a unit is to check how much energy it can consume, and before we know it, our electric bills are on the roof. When looking for an air conditioning unit that is cost-efficient, be sure to look for inverted type ones, it can save energy ranging from 1 to 20 percent in the long run, since it is more expensive than the standard type. How it works is the inverted type aircon works in a steady manner with controlled energy usage, whereas when compared to a standard one that operates on a “W” shaped energy pattern: large bursts of energy usage with short intervals before bursting another round of power that will cost you hundreds of cash in the long run, and standard type aircon are also much louder, making it not ideal for your condo.
Televisions
If you spend a lot of time streaming movies or watching the news on your television, chances are, that appliance consumes a lot of power, Flatscreens are everywhere right now, in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and models but the real question is, what is the most energy-efficient television out there? The answer: LED. This type of television can help you save as much as 70 percent annually versus other models such as LCD, Plasma, and your old “japan surplus” box-type television. Again, LED televisions cost more than other models, but you’ll thank yourself because it will help you save more energy in the long run. Also, LED consumes drastically less standby power than previous iterations of our beloved entertainment appliance. What you should always remember: cheaper isn’t always better.
Washing machines
Washing machines are bulky, loud, and use a lot of power even though you only use them once per week or once per month. The thing is, the more load you put inside it, the more it pushes hard to spin around, and when it struggles to do its job, it uses more power. When planning to buy an efficient washing machine, look for front load washers with reduced vibration technology, that kind of model uses less energy and water. And again, look for the Energy Star logo to make sure that the unit really helps you save energy. Also, look for Integrated Modified Energy Factor (IMEF). The IMEF is a measure of energy efficiency that considers the energy used by the washer during the cycle and while on standby, the energy used to heat the water, and the energy used to run the dryer. The higher the IMEF, the more energy-efficient the clothes washer.
Cookers
If you’re truly seeking a full-on energy-saving experience, you should replace your cooker with a more efficient one. Coal cookers produce too much smoke (which is a no-no inside your condo), gas stoves are a fire hazard and traditional electric cookers easily wear out with regular use. So, if you don’t want any of that fuss, try looking for an induction cooker. It is 80 percent more efficient than its other counterparts, it is easy to clean, safe to use since it doesn’t burn your hand, and is super silent, making it an ideal choice for your condo design/aesthetic as well. Induction cooktops consume electricity to power the heat, but, it utilizes its magnetic property so that cookware directly receives it. Note: you need to buy magnetic cookware in order for the induction to work. It seems to be a hassle, but it isn’t because it can save you a lot of cash in the long run instead of refilling gas tanks, buying coals, or paying maintenance for water-sensitive electric cookers. Magnetic cookers are available in almost all appliance centers over the country, so you can go ahead and buy so you can enjoy a safe, and enjoyable cooking experience.
Additional tips include:
- Defrosting your freezer when the ice build-up reaches around ¼ of your pointer finger (around 2 inches)
- Set up a fixed time slot in which you will turn on and off your air conditioner
- Plug out your television to avoid it using too much phantom power or standby energy when not in use
- Make sure to put just an adequate amount of clothes inside the washer to avoid straining the machine’s gears and consuming more power.
- Clean your induction cooker regularly so it can induct into your cookware more efficiently
Now that you know what appliances to acquire, what better way to place your energy-efficient appliances than in an equally beautiful condo?
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit oriented locations and developed business districts.
At Vista Residences, unit owners can take advantage of the property’s centrality. The properties of Vista Residences are strategically located near the country’s premium universities and CBDs, making them an attractive investment for both local and foreign investors.
Vista Residences has ready for occupancy condo projects in Manila such as Vista Taft, Vista Heights, Vista GL Taft, 878 Espana, and Crown Tower University Belt. It also has pre-selling projects in the said area which include Vista Recto, Plumeria Heights, Tennyson Heights, Bradbury Heights, Sky Arts Manila, and Kizuna Heights.
Meanwhile, it’s ready for occupancy projects in Quezon City include Wil Tower, the Symphony Towers, Pine Crest, and Vista 309 Katipunan. It also has pre-selling condo projects in the said city such as Hawthorne Heights and Vista Pointe.
Vista Residences offers a condo property situated in major locations in Metro Manila – Makati City, Ortigas, and Mandaluyong City. If you are looking for a condominium where you can easily move in or a property that you can invest in, Vista Residences has ready for occupancy condo units and pre-selling condo projects. Salcedo Square in Salcedo Village Makati, Laureano Di Trevi in Chino Roces Makati, The Currency and The Spectrum in Ortigas Central Business District Pasig City and Vista Shaw in Shaw boulevard, Mandaluyong City.
To continue its mission in providing condominium homes for Filipinos and investors, Vista Residences is now offering a premium condo living in the other areas away from Metro Manila. You can experience a warm and relax condo vibe in its condo in Baguio – Pinehill, Canyon Hill, and Brenthill. Now in the south, Vista Residences has Suarez Residences, a pre-selling condo in Cebu; and The Loop, a ready for occupancy condo in Cagayan De Oro.
Living in Vista Residences enables you to enjoy convenience, where everything is pretty much within walking distance or a few minutes away from the property; comfort because the project features and amenities are designed to deliver comfort at all times, which makes condo living a worthy investment; security that is 24/7 and CCTV monitoring, which makes the residents safe and secure within the property.
In line with Vista Residences’ thrust to offer convenience among its residents, it also features an AllDay Convenience Store and Coffee Project in all its projects.
Vista Residences is part of Vista Land’s roster of condominium brands that cater to millennials and young professionals. The other vertical brands include Camella Manors, COHO, and Crown Asia.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
