Disposing of a refrigerator is a hassle — they’re big, heavy and hard to handle. Plus, if you don’t have a truck or a trailer, you’ve got to find someone who does, then convince them to spend their afternoon helping you haul it off to the recycling center — where you’ll be charged about $20 for its disposal. Some appliance stores might haul away your old one for free, although many will charge for the service.
But with just one phone call, Clark Public Utilities customers can avoid all that trouble and maybe even avoid a trip to the back or knee clinic.
The utility’s Appliance Recycle Program will take your old fridge or freezer off your hands. All you have to do is call 360-992-3000 to set a pickup appointment, then get your old fridge or freezer to the curb before your scheduled pickup time and wave it goodbye. The service is completely free — without any paperwork or signatures required.
“This time of year, many people are updating their appliances or using the nice weather to finally get the old fridge out of the garage and haul it away. That’s why we wanted to remind customers that we’re here to help,” said Matt Babbitts, Clark Public Utilities Energy Resources Program manager. “This program provides customers with an opportunity to skip a dump run and save some money, while ensuring their old fridge or freezer is properly recycled.”
When a customer requests fridge or freezer recycling, the utility customer representative will schedule the pick-up in just one call. Pick-up dates are limited to Monday through Thursday each week.
To find out more about the program, call customer service, or visit clarkpublicutilities.com and search “appliance recycling.”
Refrigerators and freezers are often the type of appliance that people don’t think about replacing until it breaks. In those instances, the urge to replace it quickly can be stronger than the desire to weigh your options carefully.
Regardless of whether your fridge is on its last leg or is nearly old enough to vote, doing a little research now can help you avoid snap decisions and achieve long-term cost savings when it’s time to buy a new one.
So, if you’re in the market for a fridge or freezer, consider buying one that’s Energy Star rated. Refrigerators and freezers are in constant operation, which makes them big consumers of electricity — generally only dryers, water heaters, and household heating and cooling systems use more energy.
The typical fridge will last for a decade or longer, so even if a more efficient model costs a little more upfront than another one, you’ll likely recoup the difference and then some over its lifetime.
“The fridges and freezers on today’s market offer an array of impressive options, but the most impressive feature, by far, is the energy savings they achieve compared to previous generations — especially those that are Energy Star-rated,” Babbitts said. “By purchasing an Energy Star-rated household appliance, customers can rest easy knowing they’re getting maximum value for every dollar of energy that appliance consumes.”
Regardless of where you shop, every fridge or freezer should have a sticker on the door displaying its annual energy consumption. When comparing two or more fridges, keep those numbers in mind and think about those costs drawn out over the lifetime of the fridge.
You can also research fridges and many more products from the comfort of home at EnergyStar.gov.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
