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As electricity prices rise and consumers become more committed to going green, more homeowners in Los Angeles are shifting to solar power. However, ensuring maximum solar energy efficiency means selecting the proper appliances. Not all appliances are compatible with solar systems and this will affect potential energy savings. By selecting solar-compatible appliances in Los Angeles, homeowners can ensure that their systems run effectively on solar energy. Doing so will considerably decrease the electricity expenses at the same time. Best energy-efficient appliances like dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators and even washers, when selected properly, can save substantial energy. This blog post focuses on best energy-efficient appliances provided by Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center to help homeowners make the right choices when upgrading solar powered homes. If you want to switch from traditional appliances to more eco-friendly ones, picking solar powered variants will help you eliminate excess energy costs while saving you money in the long run. What to Look for in Solar-Compatible Appliances With the growing number of solar energy users, solar energy appliances need to be considered carefully to maximize their productivity and value. When choosing energy-efficient home appliances, here are three important things to remember: 1.     Energy Star Rating & Efficiency The most energy-efficient home appliances receive the Energy Star certification, which guarantees minimal power usage with optimal functionality, enabling enhanced productivity. Solar-powered homes benefit from these appliances far more than homes utilizing the grid because their efficient functioning on minimal energy reduces costs. These appliances also aid homeowners in streamlining

In the past decade, we’ve seen steam technology becoming a more popular feature in a variety of home appliances. From steam washers to steam ovens, this technology has revolutionized many household tasks. So, in this article, we’ll explore this technology in more detail and how it could benefit you. The Steam Technology Basics: When water is boiled, it creates steam and this hot vapor carries latent heat energy. This energy can be harnessed for a variety of tasks, whether to reduce cooking times or increase cleaning efficacy, steam can enhance the performance of numerous home appliances. Steam technology has continuously evolved, creating some breakthroughs to improve the convenience and function of many household appliances. This technology can be as a stand alone feature or an integral part of the functionality. In either scenario, steam can increase the efficiency and convenience of many tasks. Some manufacturers have even added smart features to steam appliances. This allows you to control and monitor them using an app or voice assistant. So, you can preheat your steam oven on your way home from work or start a steam wash cycle from another room. Steam Cooking: Steam technology is an ideal choice for cooking appliances. Steam ovens use steam for even heat distribution, which creates perfectly cooked, moist foods. It can also eliminate the dried out meals that often result with longer cook times. Steam technology can provide precise temperature control, which can transform everyday dishes into culinary masterpieces. Whether you’re roasting, baking or even

A typical family can go through a lot of ice on a warm day and it can be hard to keep up with the demand. An ice tray can only make limited quantities of ice at a time and multiple trays can take up a lot of space in the freezer. The quality of ice is also a problem, making ice at home may help, but a lot of commercially produced ice isn’t great. In recent years, there has been a significant uptake in the demand for ice makers to meet these needs. But, there are numerous ice makers on the market and it can be challenging to buy the right appliance to meet the needs of your family. In this article, we will take a brief look at ice makers, the various model configurations and whether they are worth the investment. Ice Machines vs Regular Freezer Ice The key difference between the ice that you make manually in your freezer or with a built-in kit and the ice from an ice machine is how the water is frozen. When we make regular freezer ice, we take a mold and fill each section with water by hand. Alternatively we can use a built-in water pump and freeze the ice until it’s solid and ready to use. The freezer ice may appear to be cloudy which is an indication that the ice is poor quality. There are two main reasons for this. First, using tap water or other water that can

If you’re thinking about a kitchen renovation, it’s likely that you will be updating one or more major appliances. When you add new kitchen appliances, it’s like an immediate upgrade that can add some style, functionality and value to your home. A kitchen should be the beating heart of the home and positive changes made there are significant. After all, this is where the meals are cooked, memories are made and conversations take place. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best built-in kitchen appliances that can add so much to your home. Do I Need New Built-In Kitchen Appliances? There is no getting around the fact that new major kitchen appliances represent a significant investment in your home. So, it can be a daunting prospect when you start to research your options and look at the prices. The benefits can offset the costs in terms of improved aesthetic appeal to sell a home quickly and added value for a good return on investment (ROI). The short answer is most kitchens could probably benefit from at least one new built-in kitchen appliance. But, you will need a game plan before you make any major purchasing decisions. How Can I Plan for New Kitchen Appliances? The first stage or your planning process should be to evaluate what you already have. Take a look at your kitchen appliances and ask yourself a few questions, such as: What do you like about your appliances? What do you dislike

If you’re considering a new range for your home, you are likely to be aware that there are plenty of options. But, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you choose a freestanding or slide in range. Each type of range has its own benefits and features, so in this article, we’ll explore the differences to help you make an informed purchase decision. The Freestanding Range Basics: As the name suggests, a freestanding range is designed to be a stand alone appliance in your kitchen. This is the most common style of stove with raised edges and a back panel. Freestanding ranges have finished sides, so you can install the appliance on their own or between cabinets, providing excellent flexibility. Typically, the heating elements and controls are at the back of the range. The backguard not only houses the controls, but can help to protect the wall behind the cooktop from splashes and spills, but this does limit where you can install the range, as it is not possible to integrate a freestanding range in an island. The models are available in a variety of styles and colors. Pros of Freestanding Ranges: Generally more affordable compared to slide in models Simple to install Can be easily moved or replaced Wide variety of color and style options Cons of Freestanding Ranges: With the controls at the back, they are not as easily accessible Limited technology and features compared to slide in versions Less integrated aesthetic. The Slide

If you’re considering a new range, you may have already decided to go for an electric model rather than a gas range. But, your decision is not yet fully made, as you will need to decide whether to choose a traditional or true convection range. Many people are unaware of the fantastic potential of true convection technology that could revolutionize your cooking experiences. True convection can elevate your cooking skills as it offers efficient, accurate and consistent cooking. If you can become familiar with true convection, you can make an informed decision about whether it is a good choice for you. The True Convection Basics: If you’re interested in kitchens and cooking, you may be aware that new technology is continually being developed that can step up your home cooking game. True convection technology incorporates powerful exhaust systems and fans for even heat distribution. This moves the hot air around the oven cavity to keep steady temperatures and avoid those problematic hot and cold spots. True convection or as it is sometimes called European convection offers better heat control and distribution so your dishes will be cooked more evenly and browned better for more delicious results. True Convection vs Traditional Convection: If you’ve already used a traditional convection range, you may be wondering whether true convection is the same. The key difference between these technologies is in how the hot air is moved around the oven cavity. With a traditional convection oven, the air is moved just using a fan,

The right range can provide the heart of your kitchen. It not only provides a central focal point, but it needs to offer great functionality. In many homes, the decision for a new range will come down to electric vs induction ranges. Each type has its own advantages and possible drawbacks, so before you make your purchase, it is crucial that you appreciate these differences. So, in this article, we’ll break down the key differences between induction ranges and electric ranges, assess the pros and cons and offer some tips to help you to choose the right one for your kitchen. The Types of Ranges Both induction and electric ranges rely on electricity as a power source, but they operate in a fundamentally different way. But whichever type you choose, there are different types of ranges that will determine which best suits your cooking needs and kitchen aesthetic. Freestanding: Freestanding ranges are a stand alone unit that you can place anywhere in your kitchen. Providing you have the appropriate electrical hook up, you can install a freestanding range to suit your new kitchen layout. Slide In: As the name suggests, slide in ranges are designed to slide between your cabinetry. This allows for a built in look that can work well in a contemporary style kitchen design. Drop In: As with slide in ranges, drop in ranges are installed between the cabinetry, but they typically require a custom built base during installation. Pro Style: Pro style ranges are large commercial

A cooktop is an important appliance in every kitchen and there are many options to explore. Some choose a gas or electric model, and over the years ceramic cooktops have become popular. They are smooth top appliances that are easy to clean and they have a clean design that matches ultra-modern kitchens. But, like any other appliance they have their unique pros and cons that must be considered carefully. How Does a Ceramic Cooktop Work? Before we get into the meat of this article, it’s important to understand how a ceramic cooktop works. The surface is made of tempered glass, it’s smooth to the touch and it’s easy to think that every model is the same, with a few useful features. But there are a few different options to pick from, and each of these works in very different ways: Radiant: These cooktops have metal coils that generate heat under the glass surface. Halogen: These models generate heat using halogen bulbs. Semi-Halogen: This is a combination of the radiant and halogen heating methods shown above. Induction: This is a magnet-based system that interacts with metal in pans to generate heat. The first three ceramic cooktops work in a similar manner, they cook the same and all the usual features and conveniences are present. The only real differences are that halogen bulbs heat up faster and radiant heating elements take longer to cool down. The fourth option is quite different. An induction cooktop will generate heat much faster and it can

The oven is often the center of your kitchen. It is a hardworking appliance that you rely on to make favorite meals, heat prepackaged food and even bake breads or cakes. So, it is crucial that you choose the right oven for your kitchen when you’re shopping for a new appliance. There are several things to consider and you need to understand the capabilities, configurations and features of each type of oven to make your purchase decision. So, in this guide we’ll help you to discover the different types of ovens and how to know which one is right for your home. Oven Configurations: When you’re shopping for a new oven, one of the first things you will need to appreciate is that ovens are available in a variety of configurations. These can be roughly divided into two categories so, you should think about which one will fit best in your home. The Range Oven: Ranges offer a combination of cooktop and oven, which is ideal if you have a smaller kitchen that lacks tha space for two separate appliances. It can also be a good way to make your oven a feature in your kitchen design, as it can take center stage. There are several types of ranges: Freestanding: A freestanding range features a built in backsplash. This typically houses some of the controls and the main display panel. Slide In: Slide in ranges are designed as a built in appliance to create a seamless look to your kitchen.

Up until the relatively recent past, a refrigerator was a very bulk appliance that provided cold food storage without much style beyond a kitsch factor. Modern models are an excellent blend of form and function with design options to suit virtually any kitchen. One of the more popular current trends is a French door refrigerator. This has a large fresh food compartment on top which is divided by a pair of side-by-side doors with a freezer underneath. This is a radical departure from a more traditional format and it’s natural that people would be curious about these models. In this article, we will take a closer look at French door refrigerators to help you make an informed buying decision. A Brief Primer A French door refrigerator is a cooling unit that offers certain advantages over other model configurations. They are a versatile solution for larger families or those that want to take advantage of bulk shopping deals. There’s an excellent balance of fresh and frozen food storage. Some models have convertible zones that allow the user to tailor the humidity and temperature conditions for specific foods. This means that you can maximize the freshness of the food that you’ve purchased to reduce the risk of food waste. A French door refrigerator is a sleek and ultra-modern looking appliance that’s available in multiple finishes with external ice and water dispensers, touch screen displays and glass doors options. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of French door refrigerators