Ali naj uporabim ekološki način?

Koliko zaupate ekološkemu načinu na pomivalnem stroju, da bo pravilno očistil posodo? Na podlagi rezultatov naše raziskave verjetno ne veliko:ugotovili smo, da le 21 % ljudi uporablja ekološko možnost na svojem pomivalnem stroju.

Torej bi morali uporabiti ekološki način? Odvisno. Če ne perete močno umazanih oblačil ali posode, lahko verjetno pričakujete spodoben rezultat uporabe pralnega ali pomivalnega stroja v ekološkem načinu – najslabše, kar se lahko zgodi, je, da jih boste morda morali ponovno oprati. Vendar je vredno poskusiti zaradi prihranka vode in energije, ki bi ga lahko dosegli.

Na tej strani:

• Kaj je 'eko način'?
• Ali so vsi ekološki načini enaki?
• Ali ekološki načini pomagajo prihraniti denar?
• Ali ekološki načini vplivajo na oceno energijskih zvezdic izdelka?
• Ali je hladno pranje bolj energetsko učinkovito?
• Ali je hiter cikel energetsko učinkovitejši od zelo dolgega?
• Ekološki načini pomivalnega stroja
• Ekološki načini pralnega stroja

Kaj je 'eko način'?

"Na splošno velja, da bolj ko je nastavitev vroča, boljša je učinkovitost pomivanja in sušenja v vašem pomivalnem stroju, vendar večja je poraba energije in vode," pravi strokovnjakinja za belo tehniko CHOICE Ashley Iredale.

"Torej so različni načini vašega pomivalnega stroja le različne permutacije teh treh elementov:toplote, vode in časa."

Ekološki način je v bistvu samo program, ki uporablja nižje temperature pomivanja in izpiranja, tako da je za ogrevanje potrebno manj energije, in zmanjša količino potrebne vode, medtem ko še vedno dosega zadovoljiv prag za odstranjevanje umazanije.

Učinkovitejše pomivanje sicer pomeni nekaj kompromisa v smislu intenzivnosti čiščenja, vendar to ne pomeni nujno, da boste ostali z umazanimi krožniki ali oblačili.

Voda z nižjo temperaturo v pomivalnem stroju lahko pomeni slabšo učinkovitost sušenja, vendar lahko funkcije, kot so samodejno odpiranje vrat in notranji ventilatorji, to do neke mere nadomestijo – ali pa pustite posodo sušiti na zraku.

Ali so vsi ekološki načini enaki?

Nastavitve ekološkega načina delujejo različno v različnih napravah in pri različnih modelih. Petr Valouch, še en strokovnjak za belo tehniko pri CHOICE, pravi, da v Avstraliji ni standardne definicije, kaj natančno je ekološki način ali prihrankov, ki bi jih moral zagotoviti. In ni podatkov o učinkovitosti ekoloških načinov v Avstraliji.

»Eko« lahko pomeni različne stvari, odvisno od proizvajalca, modela in naprave.

Ali ekološki načini pomagajo prihraniti denar?

Ko je partner CHOICE v Nemčiji testiral pomivalne stroje, je potrdil, da ekološki način zagotavlja najnižjo porabo energije pri različnih znamkah in modelih. Ugotovilo je, da privzeti in hitri programi pomivanja porabijo 20–30 % več energije kot ekološki načini

Kasnejši pregled literature o nemški študiji je to potrdil in tudi ugotovil:

• hitri programi pranja oblačil ali programi s temperaturami nad 30 °C so povečali porabo energije za 30–100 %
• sušilni stroji brez senzorja za samodejni izklop so povečali porabo energije za povprečno 25 %.

90% of a washing machine's energy use goes towards heating the water, so eco modes that use cooler water will cost you less to run in terms of electricity.

We've found that households can make energy savings of around 30% by using their dishwashers in eco mode. (However, we test dishwashers on the default cycle because our members have told us they tend to use this setting.)

Nasvet: Your Dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent can make up a third of the running cost of the appliance so it's important to make sure you use one that performs well.

Do eco modes affect a product's energy star rating?

Most manufacturers use the 'eco' mode for the energy star rating assessment.

The cycle tested for the energy star rating must meet certain performance standard requirements, including adequately removing dirt from clothes or food waste from dishes.

The cycle setting or mode tested for the energy star rating must be declared on the sticker. When the eco mode is used, it's an endorsement that the eco mode met the required performance standards under the prescribed conditions of that test.

A spokesperson for Energy Rating told CHOICE, "When a clothes washer is tested, it is required to meet the standards as per AS/NZS 2040, which requires a minimum water temperature of 35°C and is deemed a warm wash cycle."

• How to understand the Energy Rating Label

Are cold washes more energy efficient?

Yes, using a cold wash in your washing machine will deliver significant energy savings.

When CHOICE tests the energy and water consumption of washing machines, we run all the machines on a 'normal' cold cotton wash.

Choosing the cold wash will save you around 25% more energy than the eco mode. That's cold power!

• See our Fisher &Paykel washing machine reviews

Is the quick cycle more energy efficient than a very long cycle?

No, 90% of the energy used in a washing machine cycle is for heating the water.

All of the agitation and soaking during a longer washing cycle doesn't chew up much electricity. But the rapid hot wash, in the dishwasher or washing machine, will devour more electricity, so a cold and long wash is still more efficient.

Dishwasher eco modes

To save money, energy and water, choose a dishwasher with:

• high (over 3.5) water and energy star ratings
• 'eco' options (they can save 30% on running costs)
• delay-start feature to make use of off-peak tariffs or solar generation.

When operating:

• select eco mode
• wash only full loads
• scrape plates clean, don't rinse
• make sure you use rinse aid (or buy detergent with rinse aid included) to help with drying.

Washing machine eco modes

To save money, energy and water, choose a washing machine with:

• high (over 3.5) water and energy star ratings
• 'eco' options
• delay-start feature to make use of off-peak tariffs or solar generation.

When operating:

• select eco mode with cold water, or a cold water cycle, unless dealing with oily stains
• use an enzyme-based detergent because it's just as effective at lower temperatures
• wash full loads or adjust the water level to suit the load size
• pre-soak or pre-treat heavily soiled items – this way you won't have to wash them twice.

Nasvet: front loading washing machines generally use about 50% less energy and water than top loaders.