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Environmentally Conscious Appliance Brands
Environmentally friendly appliances, or energy-efficient appliances, focus on reducing energy consumption and environmental impact through innovative technologies and sustainable practices. They promote a sustainable lifestyle by conserving energy, reducing emissions, and minimizing resource depletion. These appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, and air conditioners, champion energy efficiency and sustainability.
Samsung Refrigerator:
Energy-efficient refrigerators play a crucial role in reducing electricity consumption through advanced insulation, compressor technology, and optimized temperature control. Samsung Family Hub refrigerators are a top choice for eco-conscious consumers looking to store food with a reduced carbon footprint. Equipped with a Digital Inverter Compressor, these refrigerators adjust their speed based on cooling demand, minimizing energy wastage and lowering power consumption. By incorporating advanced technology and smart connectivity, Samsung offers a sustainable and convenient solution for households looking to reduce electricity consumption and save on utility bills.
Bosch compact front load washer:
Bosch compact front load washer WGA12400UC is an energy-efficient option with advanced features like Eco Silence Drive motor and optimized water usage. Front-loading design saves water and energy, while high spin speeds reduce drying time. Bosch exceeds energy efficiency standards, making it a top choice for eco-conscious consumers.
Induction cooktops are highly efficient, using magnetic fields to heat cookware directly and reducing energy waste. They heat up quickly, lower energy consumption, and improve indoor air quality by eliminating gas stove byproducts. GE incorporates recycled materials to promote sustainability in its appliance manufacturing process.
Miele dishwashers are highly energy-efficient, using less water and electricity than traditional models. They have reduced electricity consumption by 44% over the past 20 years, achieving the new ‘A’ energy efficiency class. Featuring intelligent water intake, optimized spray arms, and efficient filtration, Miele dishwashers are eco-friendly while maintaining excellent cleaning results. The clever drying feature reduces energy usage by automatically opening the door slightly at the end of a cycle. Miele prioritizes sustainability in production, using eco-friendly materials and responsible practices to minimize environmental impact.
The LG WashTower combines a washer and dryer in one unit, offering energy-efficient designs like inverter-driven motors and water-saving features. Specialized wash cycles reduce energy and water consumption while providing effective cleaning. LG appliances also incorporate smart technology for remote monitoring and control, promoting energy optimization and sustainability in manufacturing practices.
Convection ovens are energy-efficient with good insulation to minimize heat loss, reducing the need for extra energy. They use 20% less energy than standard ovens. The Bosch Built-In Double Electric Convection Wall Oven is highly efficient, evenly cooking with a higher energy efficiency than non-convection models. It features an internal temperature probe and five racks for multiple dishes, ideal for large families or those who love to entertain.
One of the most important appliances to switch out for an energy efficient model is your old refrigerator. Fridges tend to be one of the biggest electricity consumers in the home, but Energy Star appliances such as the Whirlpool 21 cu. ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator are 10 percent more efficient than fridges that meet the minimum federal standard. While many energy efficient refrigerators are on the small side, this Energy Star model still allows for plenty of storage space for all your favourite foods and beverages.
TASCO Appliances
www.tascoappliance.ca
Safety Tips
Electricity can KILL! Don’t take that chance.
These 5 steps can protect your family and your home:
- Know the rules – ask about the Safety Code requirements for electrical wiring and installations.
- Always turn the power off from the panel box and use an approved tester to ensure power is off.
- Use approved products – look for the mark of a recognized certification agency on electrical products.
- Consult a licensed electrical contractor or electrician – about your home ’s electrical requirements.
- Arrange to have your electrical work inspected – as required by the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
What you should know about Electrical Panels:
Electricity enters your home from the Local Distribution Company through the service entrance at the main switch. From the main switch, the panel board or fuse box splits power into circuits that distributed electricity throughout your home. Each circuit distributing power throughout your home is protected by a fuse or circuit breaker. Fuses and circuit breakers detect short circuits and overloading and will blow (fuse) or trip (circuit breaker).
Modifications to your electrical panel should be done by a licensed electrical contractor or electrician and should be inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority.
Fuses that regularly blow or circuit breakers that regularly trip should be checked by a licensed electrical contractor or electrician.
Upgrades to your panel to increase service size (amperage) should be done by a licensed electrical contractor or electrician, and should be inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority.
What you should know about Circuit Breakers and Fuses:
Fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices in your electrical panel that are designed to prevent overloading and potential fire hazards in your home. These devices protect against over current or overloading by stopping the flow of electricity when it exceeds safe levels for your home.
Circuit breakers can be reset using hand controls after the problem has been eliminated.
Fuses, once they blow, need to be replaced. It is important that you replace fuses with the proper size fuse. Also check to ensure that you are using the correct fuse. There are two types of fuses.
Fuses identified with the letter “P” are recommended on all general circuit. Fuses identified with the letter “D” are time delay or dual element fuses and should only be used for large motorized appliances such as dryers, furnaces, refrigerators, freezers and window air conditions. Fuses identified with the letter “D” should not be used on general lighting circuits.
What you should know about installing new power outlets and/or switches:
Check all electrical outlets and switches to ensure that they bear the mark of a recognized certification agency.
Circuit breakers can be reset using hand controls after the problem has been eliminated.
Caution: Outlets may be connected to two different circuits of your homes electrical wiring system – test both outlets prior to proceeding with any electrical work.
Outlets and switches must have proper cover plates that are in good condition to protect you and your family.
Loose outlets and switches should be repaired.
Outlets and switches that are warm to the touch, or hot, should be turned off immediately – and you should contact a licensed electrical contractor or electrician about this situation.
Never force a plug into an outlet if it does not fit – and never remove the third prong from a plug to allow it to fit into an outlet.
The Electrical Safety Authority recommends the use of a licensed electrical contractor or electrician for electrical work in your home.
Trademark Electric Co. Ltd.
www.trademarkelectric.com
Induction 101: What is Induction Cooking?
Induction cooking is redefining the modern kitchen, offering unparalleled speed, precision, and efficiency. But what exactly is induction cooking, and how does it work? In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of induction technology and why you should consider it for your own luxury kitchen.
How Does Induction Cooking Work?
Unlike traditional gas or electric cooktops, induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy to directly heat your cookware rather than the cooktop surface. Here’s how it works
Electromagnetic Coils
Beneath the glass surface of the cooktop, powerful copper coils generate a magnetic field when the unit is turned on.
Heat Transfer
When induction-compatible cookware (typically made of ferrous metal) is placed on the cooktop, the magnetic field induces electrical currents in the pan, creating heat.
No Residual Heat
The heat is generated only in the cookware, not the surrounding cooktop surface, making it safer and more energy efficient.
This seamless process allows induction cooktops to deliver rapid, precise, and even heating—a game-changer for anyone who values control and efficiency in the kitchen.
Key Benefits of Induction Cooking
Induction cooking offers a host of benefits that make it a must-have for modern luxury kitchens
- Speed
Induction cooktops heat cookware almost instantly, cutting down on preheating times and ensuring faster cooking. In fact, boiling water on an induction cooktop can be up to 50 per cent faster compared to gas or electric. - Precision
With precise temperature control, you can simmer sauces, melt chocolate, or sear steaks, all on one appliance. Many premium induction cooktops include specialized sensors and features to maintain consistent heat without guesswork. - Energy Efficiency
Induction is one of the most energy-efficient cooking methods because heat is generated directly in the pan. No energy is wasted heating burners or the surrounding air, saving you money while reducing your carbon footprint. - Safety First
The cooktop surface stays cool to the touch since heat is transferred only to the cookware. This minimizes the risk of burns, making it ideal for families with children or pets.
Caplan’s Appliances
www.caplans.ca
Landscape Projects with Gardenzilla, A Step-by-Step Guide
So you’ve got a landscape project in mind, and you want to know more about how we work and what to expect when you reach out. I thought I’d walk you through how we approach new landscape projects, and the steps we go through when clients need help.
A Quick Overview
Behind the scenes, we have some really exceptional long-term staff who are committed to landscaping as a career, and bring years of hands-on experience in the work we do. You can count on our teams to be well equipped, friendly, and passionate about their work.
Our half-acre Leaside yard has an on-site nursery and most basic gardening supplies, including premium Fafard mulches and soils. We handle most projects with full time, year-round staff, and can tackle projects as small as a simple plant replacement or hedge pruning, or as complex as a garden design, patio or deck.
Step 1. The Meeting
Most projects start with an online or video meeting, booked through our office with our general manager (that’s me, Mike) or our softscapes manager Simon. Both of us have years of experience designing and building gardens of all types, and love meeting and working with new clients.
Meetings are typically fifteen minutes or less. We’ll get a high-level view of what you’re looking for and answer specific questions about the work you want done. We finish every meeting by summarizing the project and the next steps, and sharing that summary with you in an email.
Step 2. The Site Visit
In some cases, we can send you a quote based on our initial conversation, but most of the time we follow up the next day by visiting your property. For some projects, we coordinate a time on site to meet you and review the work. For others, there’s no need for you to be home – we just drop by to take measurements and photos.
Step 3. The Quote
After the meeting, we’ll confirm the next steps for your project, and send you an email summarizing everything we talked about. In most cases, we’ll arrange to drop by and visit your property the next day. Sometimes we meet you on site – other times, that’s not necessary, and you don’t have to be home when we stop by. Either way, we’ll take photos and
Lawns require a lot of upkeep – weekly mowing, fertilizer and weed control, seeding and occasional pest control. They are resource-intensive and offer few benefits to native wildlife, so they aren’t the best choice ecologically. And while lawns have their place, the front lawn is no longer the first choice for many homeowners.
Types of Gardens
Although the range of planting options is truly limitless, we find there are a few groups and features that clients generally look for. When I’m speaking with clients about a front lawn replacement, I’ll try to understand the features that are most important to them, and incorporate that into the design.
Pollinator Gardens work best on sunny locations, but offer wonderful visual and ecological benefits. A pollinator garden is one with successive blooming plants that attract and support local pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Native Plant Gardens can work in any location, and feature plants that are native to Ontario so that they best support native wildlife and aren’t invasive in the local community.
Gardenzilla
www.gardenzilla.ca
Shopping… “Styling Your Home” + Visualize… “Our Design Process”
Styling your space is a necessary finishing touch.. like a necklace to a beautiful dress, it completes the look. A new design package we are offering is a “Shop & Style” service. I find a lot of clients have beautiful furnishings but need some direction and the right “lipstick and mascara” to complete the look! The challenge is putting everything together such as finding the right art, decorating your bookshelf, selecting the right area rug, table lamps and throw cushions.
We do the sourcing and shopping for you! A day of shopping and styling of ready to purchase items makes this design package stress free. We set your home up for that event you’ve planning or just gives you comfort of having everything finally in its right place. To learn more contact us to schedule your 15 minute discovery call.
“Making it work, finding the right items.. well that’s where we come in!”
I wanted to share a little more about our design process at Camden Lane Interiors with a breakdown of our design phases. I must say that I have come across so many clients that share in the excitement of seeing a visual design of their space. Living in the same space sometimes does not let you see beyond what you are used to. Visualization is an important step to getting my design vision across and inspires clients to get excited for the next phases of their project.
Phase 1
First I offer a meet & greet to go through your space, review your design dilemmas and get to know you! We cater designs to your wish list, and inspirational images that evoke your vision and style to create your dream home! I come across many rooms that need new life, this family room was one of them!
Phase 2
During our design presentation we gather samples, finishes, fabrics and paint chips to provide an overall vision for your room! We present a 3D visual walk-through of each designed space. This is the best way for you to see your room transformation with those finishes, textures and colors presented to you. The furniture placement and styling in the 3D gives you an idea of scale, placement and proportion of the interior. The potential is limitless!
Phase 3
After I receive your design approval, our teams moves into the ordering, delivery and project management. We aim to get your project from paper to reality! Outdated paneling seems to be a common dilemma yet a beautiful update of white painted panels are not! Our contractors got started on updating this space and what a difference freshly painted walls, updated flooring, new lighting and an accent fireplace feature wall can do to the space! Already it feels brighter, taller and a larger space for my clients to relax in!
Phase 4
As the furniture starts to arrive.. we start the shopping and styling phase! STAY TUNED FOR THE FINAL STYLING RESULTS… TO BE CONTINUED…
Camden Lane Interiors
www.camdenlaneinteriors.com
About the Author
Supplement posts produced by the Home Editor team present industry leaders' commentary on Home Improvement, Renovation and Outdoor Living.
