Energy Saving Gadgets: Are they worth it?

The sleek, new hybrid vehicles and effortless front-loading laundry machines are quickly becoming the standard.  But it doesn't take a math whiz to compare their price tags with traditional electronics.  Buyers have little clue as to their investment costs and the return value.  How much will you save on investing in these energy efficient products in the long haul?  

Front Loaders
Before discussing which machine to buy, you might be interested to know that you can reduce the cost of each load to just $.14 if you wash with cold water.  Both electric ($.69) and gas ($.55) cost much more per load when using hot water.  I don't notice much of a difference--and we are experts at filthifying clothes.  If you wash with mainly hot water you'll spend $226 per year as opposed to $11 on cold loads.  Add $.11 per load for water.

If you opt to purchase those quiet, energy efficient front loaders be prepared to fork over the cash.  The average front loader is $270 more than a top loader (that's $540 for a pair).  Not only do front loaders use less water they also use less energy.  Your clothes aren't agitated as much and don't need to be dried as long.  If you currently use a lot of hot water for laundry, you'll save as much as $137 each year with a front loader.  Cold water savings are much less at $28.  If you average out the price of laundry for a front loader, you'll save roughly $75--so in about four years the up-front costs will be recouped.

Bottom Line: Keep your current washer and drier spinning for as long as possible.  Your biggest savings in the laundry business is the cost to heat your water.  Wash on cold and hang dry whenever possible.  Save money for a new unit while you wait for them to expire and then consider buying the front loaders.  Also research repair centers in your area to make sure they will repair your machines--one large manufacturer has been dabbling in bankruptcy court for quite some time, so don't bank on any warranty.

Central Air System
Before you look at replacing the actual unit, do some investigation on your ductwork.  If your piping system has cracks and leaks throughout, pumping energy efficient 72-degree air into them will only cool the attic.  We lived in a 1500 square foot apartment that racked up a $450 bill during the summer due to ridiculously poor installation.  Much of the high cost of heating and cooling can be found in the system's foundation.

That being said, if your unit is over 12 years old you'd do well to consider an upgrade.  When you buy an Energy Star model, expect it to function nearly 14% more efficiently.  Make sure the unit your purchase is the right size for your space.  The higher the efficiency rating the more it will save you.  

Bottom Line: It depends upon your needs.  If you plan on moving within two or three years, it may not be financially sound to replace.  However, if you are cooling a sieve, your heat/AC costs can ratchet your bill up toward $1000 each month, especially in the South during the hot months.  Replacing the unit and/or ductwork will reap huge savings after a few years.  Your house may never dip below 76-degrees, which is cause enough for me to pay for an overhaul.  Unlike other energy efficient choices, your comfort is directly linked to your system's ability to cool and heat.  

Hybrid Vehicles
The popularity of hybrid vehicles is directly related to fuel costs.  During those summer spikes in price, dealers are making profit hand over fist.  I was fortunate to drive a Lexus hybrid the other day and what a treat it was!  No loud, clunky startup or revving motor.  It was quiet on the road and got great gas mileage.  Of course it was a dream drive...at nearly $45,000!  We average folk, especially those of us living frugally, would never consider such an expense.  I am a firm believer in avoiding the car payment at all costs, so saving up that much for a car is out of my sphere.  

A Consumer Reports study looked at six affordable vehicles to compare long-term savings with higher sticker prices. They found that comparing hybrid varieties with their traditional counterparts yielded wildly different results. The Toyota Camry hybrid at 34 mpg will save the consumer $4250 over five years whereas Lexus and Toyota Highlander are overall losses for the consumer.  The Saturn Vue Greenline Hybrid reaps savings of $3,000. Chevrolet Tahoe trailed the pack at just $1500 in savings over 5 years.  

Bottom Line: As with front loaders, you need to drive your vehicle into the ground before purchasing another one.  Cars are expenses, not investments, as they depreciate over time.  If you are gung-ho hybrid, look into purchasing a used car to save on dealership prices.