Housing and interiors: Book two:
1. Buying household appliances:
1.1 Factors to consider when shopping for household appliances:
Appliances are supposed to make our lives easier. We must always try to get the best value for money.
1.1.1 Energy consumption of household appliances:
a) Non-human energy: The more efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run. Using less energy:
o Is good for the environment.
o Reduces air pollution.
o Helps conserve natural resources.
By law all appliances must show their energy efficiency. Appliances are ranked from A to G. The amount
of electricity needed to run appliance is measured in WATTS. Your electricity bill is calculated in the
number of kilowatt hours used. A kilowatt is 100 watts. To calculate the cost of appliances, you need:
o The wattage rating of the appliances, which appears on a label or in the instruction booklet.
o If there is no label, then Watts = V (Volts) x A (Amperes).
o The average number of hours you will use the appliance per day, month or year.
o The cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour in your area.
o Watts = The amount of energy a device uses to operate.
o Voltage = The energy required to move electricity along a circuit.
o Amperes = The rate at which electricity
Running cost = Watts x hours x cost per unit
flows through a circuit.
1000
When you buy an appliance consider the running cost and purchase price. Smaller appliances use less
energy. Avoid unnecessary features.
b) Human energy: These are time and energy. Human energy = The capacity to do work or to perform
activities. Household appliances are labour saving because they help preserve human energy by
reducing the physical effort needed to perform manual tasks. We use electrical appliances out of habit,
when sometimes a manual appliance will do (electric can opener). We must learn to live more simply by
using human energy rather than electrical energy.
c) Universal design features of appliances: Universal design features make appliances easier to use,
safer and quieter. It is easy to operate because of dials and controls.
Desirable universal design appliance features:
Controls on Raised, cupped or detectable by touch. Settings that are easy to understand within easy
appliances: reach. Can be used with low effort and minimum use of fingers.
Display or labels Easy to read with high contrast graphics (white on black or black on white). Letters that
on appliance: are 6mm high or larger. Visual and audible alarms.
Refrigerators and Easy adjustable. Pull out shelves. Side by side fridge and freezer. Doors that open at
freezers: 180°. See through vegetable or fruit bins.
Stoves and ovens: Sensor control cook (switches on when pot is placed on it). Smooth cook tops for easy
movement. Side hinged oven door. Self-cleaning oven. Interior lights in the oven.
Washing machines Front detergent and washing loading. Easy to understand instructions. Side hinged
and tumble driers: doors. Raised 15 cm above the floor for easy access.
Dishwashers: Height adjustable racks. Raised 15 cm above floor for easy access.
Microwave oven: Microwave or convection combination. Ni lip at the front edge, Interior light. Touch
controls. Should be counter height.
d) Water consumption of appliances: Increased water consumption is putting strain on SA’s water
resources. Cutting water costs saves you money. When buying an appliance check the water efficiency:
o A washing machine should use about 50 litres per wash.
o Twin tubs use the least water and top-loaders use the most water.
o Dishwashers should use about 15 litres per wash.
e) Environmental impact of household appliances: Environmental impact includes, the amount of
energy it takes to produce, package, transport, install and dispose of. The biggest impact is when the
appliance is in use. Some appliances have “green labels” which are less harmful to the environment.
Electrical and electronic waste = E-waste of WEEE and this refers to end-of-life or discarded appliances.
, E-waste have recyclable materials such as metals, glass and plastic. E-waste contains hazardous
materials (lead) that require special handling.
2. Choice of functional household appliances:
2.1 Buying a stove:
a) The style:
o Built in stoves: Have separate oven unit and hob or cooker top.
o Cooker top or hob: Have 3 or 4 plates, which are spiral or solid heating pads.
o Ovens: Are single or double built in ovens, which are eye level, or under the counter.
o Freestanding convectional stoves: Have lots of variety, sizes and models.
Compare your household need, the space available, the wiring or installation needs, stove style and gas
or electricity.
b) Elements and burners: Most electric stoves have 4 surface plates or elements in two sizes 145 mm and
180 mm. There are different types such as:
o Coil tubular elements: Heat and cool quickly. Reach extreme temperatures quickly.
o Solid plate elements: Take long to heat up and they stay hot for longer.
o Glass ceramic hobs or cook top: Have hidden heating elements. There are no crevices to
collect dirt or grease. Can be easily cleaned. You must use flat-bottomed utensils. Special
cleaning utensils that don’t scratch or discolour the glass.
o Induction hops: Cooker is faster and more energy efficient. Cookware must be magnetic
materials such as iron or steel. Heats and cools quickly. Safe and easy to clean.
o Gas hob burners: Grid form. Burners must have a rim or sealed to contain spillages making
them easy to clean. Porcelain coated or stainless steel. Either use a spark (built in) or a lighter to
start.
c) Type of ovens:
o Conventional ovens: Have an element at the bottom and top of the oven, which heats up.
o Convection ovens: Uses a fan to circulate heat around the oven. Works faster and bakes more
evenly.
o Self-cleaning ovens: Use a temperature cycle to clean off spills. More expensive. Better for the
environment as they don’t need cleaning chemicals.
d) Controls: These must be easy to read, access and use. Timers are useful. Heat surface signal lights
indicate which burners are on.
2.2 Buying a microwave oven:
A microwave oven uses microwaves to heat food, They cook from the middle of the food to the outside. These
are energy efficient, easy and safe to use. The following features need to be considered when buying:
Feature: Explanation:
Oven wattage: 500-1700 watt range, The higher the wattage the quicker the oven heats. Low wattage
ovens cook more slowly.
Size of the Widths vary from 38 to over 50 cm. Check the inside dimensions, as this will determine
oven: the size of the dishes you can use in the oven.
Power levels: A high setting = 100% power, this will heat and cook fats. Medium setting = 50% power,
this cooks more slowly. Low levels are used for thawing, defrosting, melting and
keeping foods warm.
Controls or One-button controls, with the directions for a number of different foodstuffs pre-
settings: programmed in the microwave memory. There are also electronic on manual settings.
Special sensors and devices:
Weight sensors: Under the turntable. Automatically weighs the food and this determines the thawing or
cooking times.
Moisture sensors: Measures the foods moisture levels. Makes cooking move accurate.
Temperature This wills top the cooking process when the food has reached the desired internal
probe: temperature. Very useful for meat.
Turntable: Allows dishes to rotate when cooking. Heat is more evenly distributed throughout the
food. The dosh used must be the right size so it has enough room to turn.
Convection Costly. They have a fan, which circulates the hot air. Food is more evenly browned in
function: baking and roasting is faster.
Safety: Two safety interlock switches. These stop the generation of microwaves when the door
1. Buying household appliances:
1.1 Factors to consider when shopping for household appliances:
Appliances are supposed to make our lives easier. We must always try to get the best value for money.
1.1.1 Energy consumption of household appliances:
a) Non-human energy: The more efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run. Using less energy:
o Is good for the environment.
o Reduces air pollution.
o Helps conserve natural resources.
By law all appliances must show their energy efficiency. Appliances are ranked from A to G. The amount
of electricity needed to run appliance is measured in WATTS. Your electricity bill is calculated in the
number of kilowatt hours used. A kilowatt is 100 watts. To calculate the cost of appliances, you need:
o The wattage rating of the appliances, which appears on a label or in the instruction booklet.
o If there is no label, then Watts = V (Volts) x A (Amperes).
o The average number of hours you will use the appliance per day, month or year.
o The cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour in your area.
o Watts = The amount of energy a device uses to operate.
o Voltage = The energy required to move electricity along a circuit.
o Amperes = The rate at which electricity
Running cost = Watts x hours x cost per unit
flows through a circuit.
1000
When you buy an appliance consider the running cost and purchase price. Smaller appliances use less
energy. Avoid unnecessary features.
b) Human energy: These are time and energy. Human energy = The capacity to do work or to perform
activities. Household appliances are labour saving because they help preserve human energy by
reducing the physical effort needed to perform manual tasks. We use electrical appliances out of habit,
when sometimes a manual appliance will do (electric can opener). We must learn to live more simply by
using human energy rather than electrical energy.
c) Universal design features of appliances: Universal design features make appliances easier to use,
safer and quieter. It is easy to operate because of dials and controls.
Desirable universal design appliance features:
Controls on Raised, cupped or detectable by touch. Settings that are easy to understand within easy
appliances: reach. Can be used with low effort and minimum use of fingers.
Display or labels Easy to read with high contrast graphics (white on black or black on white). Letters that
on appliance: are 6mm high or larger. Visual and audible alarms.
Refrigerators and Easy adjustable. Pull out shelves. Side by side fridge and freezer. Doors that open at
freezers: 180°. See through vegetable or fruit bins.
Stoves and ovens: Sensor control cook (switches on when pot is placed on it). Smooth cook tops for easy
movement. Side hinged oven door. Self-cleaning oven. Interior lights in the oven.
Washing machines Front detergent and washing loading. Easy to understand instructions. Side hinged
and tumble driers: doors. Raised 15 cm above the floor for easy access.
Dishwashers: Height adjustable racks. Raised 15 cm above floor for easy access.
Microwave oven: Microwave or convection combination. Ni lip at the front edge, Interior light. Touch
controls. Should be counter height.
d) Water consumption of appliances: Increased water consumption is putting strain on SA’s water
resources. Cutting water costs saves you money. When buying an appliance check the water efficiency:
o A washing machine should use about 50 litres per wash.
o Twin tubs use the least water and top-loaders use the most water.
o Dishwashers should use about 15 litres per wash.
e) Environmental impact of household appliances: Environmental impact includes, the amount of
energy it takes to produce, package, transport, install and dispose of. The biggest impact is when the
appliance is in use. Some appliances have “green labels” which are less harmful to the environment.
Electrical and electronic waste = E-waste of WEEE and this refers to end-of-life or discarded appliances.
, E-waste have recyclable materials such as metals, glass and plastic. E-waste contains hazardous
materials (lead) that require special handling.
2. Choice of functional household appliances:
2.1 Buying a stove:
a) The style:
o Built in stoves: Have separate oven unit and hob or cooker top.
o Cooker top or hob: Have 3 or 4 plates, which are spiral or solid heating pads.
o Ovens: Are single or double built in ovens, which are eye level, or under the counter.
o Freestanding convectional stoves: Have lots of variety, sizes and models.
Compare your household need, the space available, the wiring or installation needs, stove style and gas
or electricity.
b) Elements and burners: Most electric stoves have 4 surface plates or elements in two sizes 145 mm and
180 mm. There are different types such as:
o Coil tubular elements: Heat and cool quickly. Reach extreme temperatures quickly.
o Solid plate elements: Take long to heat up and they stay hot for longer.
o Glass ceramic hobs or cook top: Have hidden heating elements. There are no crevices to
collect dirt or grease. Can be easily cleaned. You must use flat-bottomed utensils. Special
cleaning utensils that don’t scratch or discolour the glass.
o Induction hops: Cooker is faster and more energy efficient. Cookware must be magnetic
materials such as iron or steel. Heats and cools quickly. Safe and easy to clean.
o Gas hob burners: Grid form. Burners must have a rim or sealed to contain spillages making
them easy to clean. Porcelain coated or stainless steel. Either use a spark (built in) or a lighter to
start.
c) Type of ovens:
o Conventional ovens: Have an element at the bottom and top of the oven, which heats up.
o Convection ovens: Uses a fan to circulate heat around the oven. Works faster and bakes more
evenly.
o Self-cleaning ovens: Use a temperature cycle to clean off spills. More expensive. Better for the
environment as they don’t need cleaning chemicals.
d) Controls: These must be easy to read, access and use. Timers are useful. Heat surface signal lights
indicate which burners are on.
2.2 Buying a microwave oven:
A microwave oven uses microwaves to heat food, They cook from the middle of the food to the outside. These
are energy efficient, easy and safe to use. The following features need to be considered when buying:
Feature: Explanation:
Oven wattage: 500-1700 watt range, The higher the wattage the quicker the oven heats. Low wattage
ovens cook more slowly.
Size of the Widths vary from 38 to over 50 cm. Check the inside dimensions, as this will determine
oven: the size of the dishes you can use in the oven.
Power levels: A high setting = 100% power, this will heat and cook fats. Medium setting = 50% power,
this cooks more slowly. Low levels are used for thawing, defrosting, melting and
keeping foods warm.
Controls or One-button controls, with the directions for a number of different foodstuffs pre-
settings: programmed in the microwave memory. There are also electronic on manual settings.
Special sensors and devices:
Weight sensors: Under the turntable. Automatically weighs the food and this determines the thawing or
cooking times.
Moisture sensors: Measures the foods moisture levels. Makes cooking move accurate.
Temperature This wills top the cooking process when the food has reached the desired internal
probe: temperature. Very useful for meat.
Turntable: Allows dishes to rotate when cooking. Heat is more evenly distributed throughout the
food. The dosh used must be the right size so it has enough room to turn.
Convection Costly. They have a fan, which circulates the hot air. Food is more evenly browned in
function: baking and roasting is faster.
Safety: Two safety interlock switches. These stop the generation of microwaves when the door
