Complete summary of the housing section in Consumer Studies Grade 12 IEB syllabus. Sources include "Consumer Studies the answer series" textbook and other various sources.
Factors to consider when shopping when shopping for household
appliances
• Needs of the family:
o Size of the family
o Important features for the family
o Available space
• Budget:
o Best quality for your budget
o Check for warranties
o Buy energy sufficient
• Must reduce work load
• Instructions easy to understand
• Appliances must be safe
Choosing household appliances criteria
Universal design:
• Suit different needs and abilities
• Easy to use
• Easy to clean
• Controls must be easy to use
• Must be safe
Functionality:
• Should work efficiently if clear instructions are provided and positioned correctly
Energy use:
• Use of human time and energy
• Appliances should save human time and energy
• Easy and convenient to use
• Should not be too heavy and be adjustable
• Maintenance should be time efficient
Use of non-human energy:
• Choose appliances that are energy efficient
• Look for economic cycles
• Cheaper models will cost more in the long run
• Check the energy efficiency on the label:
o A+ = excellent
o A-C = good
o D = average
o E-G = poor
o G = least efficient and uses a lot of energy
,Water consumption:
• Look for efficient water consumption with dishwashers and washing machines
• Appliances with high water consumption put pressure on our water resources and sewage
system
Environmental impact:
• Although convenient they must be environmentally friendly
• All appliances have an impact on the environment during
manufacturer, during and after disposal
• Burning coal and other fossil fuel can cause air pollution
• Carbon dioxide released increases greenhouse gasses
• Modern refrigerators and freezers are CFC free – both must be disposed of correctly
• Old appliances contain lead which can contaminate soil and water causing health issues
• Contact your local municipality on what to do with e waste
Washing Machines
Top Loader:
• 7-13kg
• 150l-200l per cycle
• Quicker load finishing time
• Uses more electricity
• Suitable for large families
Front Loader:
• 5-7kg
• 60l-100l per cycle
• Door is at the front so can go under a counter
• Uses less electricity because it uses cold water which is heated by an internal element
Semi-automatic twin tub machine:
• 3kg
• Take up a lot of space
• Much cheaper to buy
• Requires more human energy
Considerations for buying:
• Choose the right size for needs
• Control knobs must be easy to use
• Lindt filter must be easy to reach
• Strong spin cycle to get rid of water
• Adjustable temperature settings
• Automatic cold rinse cycle – saves energy
• Automatic water level setting will reduce water
• Energy efficiency label
,Stoves
• Built in stove
• Free standing stove
• Gas stove with burners
Considerations for buying:
• Easy to clean
• Safety valves on gas stoves
• Child locks
• Lights to indicate temperature
• Controls must be easy to understand
• Self cleaning oven
Functionality of different types of stoves:
• SPIRAL PLATE - heats up and cools down quickly but difficult to clean
• SOLID PLATE - takes longer to heat up but easier to clean
• GLASS OR CERAMIC TOPS - easy cleaning but require flat bottom cookware.
• GAS BURNERS - immediate heat. Difficult to maintain a low heat. Can be difficult to clean
if burners are not sealed
Tumble Dryer
Electric:
• Tumble dryers with condensers will collect water in a tank
• Can be placed anywhere in the house
• Tumble dryers with air vents need to be placed in a well ventilated area
Gas:
• Gas provides the energy needed for drying
• Only a little electricity used to control the drum
• Considered environmentally friendly and use little energy
Considerations when buying:
• Control knobs must be easy to read
• Child lock
• Signal to indicate end of cycle
• Anti-crease cycle
• Lindt filters must be easy to reach and clean
• Automatic off switch
• Different temperature settings
• Moisture sensor
• Study the label for energy efficiency
, Dishwashers
• Look for different cycles – one that includes and economy cycle
• Racks that can be moved
• Prewash is not necessary
• Automatic open function
• Some machines need dishes to be washed by hand before being
placed in the dish washer
• Low temperature settings can save energy
• Less water is used than washing dishes by hand
• Study the label for energy efficiency
Refrigerators
• Two types:
o side by side
o freezer-fridge combination
• Shelves must be adjustable
• Electronic temperature control
• Can be cleaned easily
• Automatic locking
• Frost free system
• Ice makers and water dispensers save human energy
• Refrigerators with freezer compartment use less energy than side by side
• Automatic defrost uses more energy but is more efficient
• Large refrigerators use more energy
• Must be well sealed
Freezers
• There are different types of freezers available:
o freezer fridge combo
o upright or chest freezer
o side by side freezer
• Automatic locking
• Adjustable shelves
• Drawers with rollers
• Electronic temperature control
• Open door alarm
• Easy cleaning
• Chest freezers are difficult to organize
Ovens
Types of ovens:
• CONVENTIONAL OVENS - has a top and bottom element
• CONVECTION/THERMO FAN OVENS - has a fan in the oven to distribute heat evenly and
faster
• SELF-CLEANING OVEN - burns away spills with high temperatures without the use of
chemicals
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller rachelupfold. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R80,00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.