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Energy program aids in selection of appliances You've become accustomed to comparison food shopping. Now, with Uncle Sam's help, you can be even more cost-effi­ cient when you shop for a new major appliance. Thanks to a joint Department of Energy and Federal TYade Commission program, bright black and yellow "Energy- Guide" labels are beginning to appear on such major home ap­ pliances as refrigerators, dish­ washers, washing machines and air conditioners. By the end of next year, eight appliances will wear labels-- The labels show you; at a glance, the estimated annual en­ ergy cost, or the energy effi­ ciency, of the appliance in comparison with competing products of the same type and size. These figures, along with other information on the label, can help you save money on the total lifetime cost of operating the appliance and conserve en­ ergy as well. For instance, compare the "EnergyGuide" labels on two competing refrigerators. You may find that because it con­ sumes less energy, a model with a higher initial price could prove more economical in the long run than a less expensive and also less energy-efficient model. "EnergyGuide" labels have a "family" resemblance, but the information contained on them varies somewhat, depending on the type of appliance. Labels on refrigerator- freezers, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and water heaters provide the estimated average energy cost, or dollar figure, based on a national aver­ age utility rate. Also included is a chart to en­ able you to calculate energy costs based on your own local utility rate. Labels for dishwashers and clothes washers give two cost estimates: one for homes equipped with gas water heaters, the other for homes with electric water heaters. Here, the chart shows different costs for machines of varying capacities. • For room air-conditioners, the black and yellow label fur­ nishes energy efficiency ratings to guide you in computing com­ parative costs. The chart on these labels also shows different rate costs for machines of vary­ ing capacities. The "EnergyGuide" label for furnaces is more generic. It sug­ gests energy-saving measures you can take, and directs you to a fact sheet developed by indi­ vidual manufacturers and avail­ able fron^ your dealer which will give you more detailed guidance. All these black and yellow "EnergyGuide" labels give you an opportunity to make an in­ formed decision before you buy an appliance. They make it easy for you to calculate the average annual cost of a specific product and balance that cost against the ini­ tial price. Let's say you're looking at a 17-cubic-foot, self-defrosting refrigerator-freezer whose "EnergyGuide" label bears a big black center figure of $51. That's how much the machine would cost you to operate annu­ ally based on constant operating time and on a national average electric rate of 4.97tf per kilo­ watt hour, effective earlier this- year. If your utility rate is higher or lower than the national average, a quick look at the chart beneath the big number on the label will show you how much the refrig­ erator will cost to operate with your local utility, rate. show you that this model refrig­ erator will com you $62 a year in energy. If you live in a 2<f kwh rate area, your energy cost for the machine would be $21 a year. Then, suppose you are trying to decide between two refrigera­ tors. The one that will cost you $62 a year to operate has a $545 (nice tag, whilcja model with similar features, whose initial cost is $485, will cost $85 a year to run. Armed with these figures and a simple worksheet, you can de­ termine which appliance will turn out to be the least expensive over its useful life. You calculate that the initial price difference between the two refrigerators is $60 and that the $545 model will save $23 in energy costs each year. When you multiply the energy savings •* ZHX'iVrvy . v w- -. PAGE 7 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1980 by, say, 10 years, the minimum time you can expect to keep your refrigerator, it gives you a lifetime savings of $230. Subtract the initial price dif- ' ference of $60 from the $230 lifetime energy savings, and ygu find that you can save $170 by buying the initially more expensive energy-efficient appliance. By choosing the most energy- efficient household appliances, you can save on your energy costs. The information on the black and yellow "Energy- Guide" labels will help you achieve that goal. spring garden chores and insects under control A GOOD INVESTMENT Whether your priority this spring is a bountiful vegetable garden or a green-with-envy lawn, or both, early insect con­ trol is a key step and a good in­ vestment at relatively small cost. Take preventive measures be­ fore planting to help ensure a healthy harvest of such favorite vegetables as tomatoes, corn, carrots, lettuce, peas, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, snap beans and squash. Multi-purpose insecticide TVy a pre-plant application of a broad-spectrum insecticide such as Spectracide® 6000 Lawn & Garden Insect Control, which contains Diazinon®. This single product, part of the Spectrum® Home and Gar­ den Product line, does the job of combating wireworms, cut­ worms, mole crickets and root maggots, to name just a few. Follow instructions Follow label directions as recommended. For example, for cutworms on cucumbers or cabbage, apply seven to 14 ounces of these ready-to-use granules per 500 square feet, mixing into the soil to a depth of 2-3 inches for surface cutworms and 3-6 inches for subterranean cutworms. This all-purpose insecticide is also easy to use on lawns. It is effective against the onslaught of such insects as ants, white grubs, billbugs, lawn moths, chinch bugs, Bermudagrass mites, cutworms, leafhoppers and sowbugs. Apply to grass with a fertil­ izer spreader. The lawn area should be well wetted before treatment is applied and a second soaking is recommended to help drench the chemical into the turf and root zone. Repeat as necessary. Thoroughly tested Spectracide 6000 Lawn and Garden Insect Control has been thoroughly tested for home and garden use, and is manufactured by the Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Greensboro, N.C. It is packaged in economical 12'/2 lb. bags that cover up to 6,000 square feet, and is avail­ able at your local garden supply center, nursery, hardware or other retail outlet. Make The Most Out Of What's \burs If you're lucky enough to own a yard or patio, don't let it go to waste. With a low cost home improvement loan, you can fix it up and be able to really enjoy the warm months outdoors. For your convenience, our repayment terms are arranged to fit your budget. Call For An Appointment Today! McHENRY S A V I N G S i mi iiiiciitiir McHenry Savings _ _ _ » ««D lO«M AtlOCMllON W 1209 North Gr^pn Street. McHenry 815/385-3000 10520 Main Street Richmond 815 678-2061 10402 North Vine Street (Huntlev Center on Route 47) Huntley 312 669-3333 SAVfRS HOURS: fHM em to 4:90 pm Monday. Tuotday and Thursday; 9:00 am la 1:00 pm Friday; 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday. McHanry Offica Driva-ln Window* opon Wodnosday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Clos*d Wednesday in Richmond and Huntloy. Deposits insured to $40,000 by the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance < FSIJC kilowatt hour, the chart will