JNJ wrote in message ...
How can there be _any_ energy efficiency in a newer stove? It still uses
electricity and if I'm not mistaken, uses resistance heating. Assuming
that
I'll be using the same cooking temperatures with the new one, as I did
with
the old, where are the savings ??

Coils are more efficient, thermostats are more efficient, they're better
insulated, and new designs make better use of the heat. I've no idea how
much of a cost savings that will translate into with an electric power
range/oven set. In our case, the cost savings will be substantial as we'll
be going from a 20 year old double oven pilot based unit to a single oven,
pilotless, electronic ignition unit.

Do you have any figures on "energy efficent fridges" comparing new to
our 20-year old one. I guess the design of the compressor could have
changed in those years, but I doubt the principles that dictate how it
works, have. I guess there could be better overall insulation, but my
suspicion is that manufacturers would skimp on factors that would make
such a common household appliance last longer -- it's counterproductive
to sales and the bottom line, in this global economy.

Wow -- you must not have started looking yet. The new fridges are very
different from the old ones and the cost savings are significant. Most
folks I've talked to that updated from a 20 or so year old model realized a
$10-$20US savings in their monthly electrical bill.

I took my wife to Home Show Canada (on Weston Road, Toronto) and saw
there stoves and fridges of better quality than the 'specials' offered by
Sears, so she is off the hook to buy by today.

One thing I did notice was that all the oven timers I saw where only for
a maximum of 12 hours. Since we are now both retired that doesn't
matter but if we where still both working, where we left home before
6 am and returned after 6pm, a 12-hour timer is useless. Having a
background in industrial electronics, I find it hard to believe a 24 hour
timer is not available.

The other thing that I liked was that all the stoves were on wheels, but
not the fridges, I may add !!!

Some of the stoves had what appeared to be a vent in the door and
when I asked a rep, he said that all ovens have vents ?? Well ours
certainly doesn't. We got very poor answers on other items in the
store but looking at their website under 'employment' I see they only
pay the reps $7.85/hr which is rock-bottom minimum wage, and no
wonder the answers we got.

We were also impressed with the furniture from "Decor Rest" of
Woodbridge (near Toronto)

Anyway, from the your comments and others here, we are a little
more knowledable on this subject, and thankful for your replies.

Alan