So, I promised a thread on electrical appliances and I'll make good on that promise. I'm going to let it develop generically. For starters I'd like to say that when I say grid=KPLC and off-grid=where KPLC isn't/isn't the one in use. Some people use solar in place of KPLC.

I'll start with what appliances you can buy and why then move to a question I got on solar powered appliances. Appliances to buy might seem obvious for some people but, as someone who grew up without electricity/appliances, I can know that common knowledge isn't common.

When it comes to appliances, the most important things for your purchase are: *the energy star rating* because the greener it is, the more manageable your bill will be, *signed warranty* because if your appliance has issues during warranty, it should be fixed for you.

*A readily available repair place* that is sanctioned by the manufacturer/distributor because you're not buying an appliance to last you 1/2 years, then you'll throw it out after warranty. I buy appliances to last ages so, in case of a problem, I'd like to be able to fix it.

I need to be careful about what I promise the energy star rating means because buying an energy efficient appliance doesn't mean your energy use will not skyrocket. If you own a fridge and keep opening the damn thing every five minutes, your bill won't be that different.

Fridges aren't on throughout, they operate between cooling and cooled. Cooling, they use lots of energy and cooled, they use little. They stay at cooled for longer if you don't open the door and let out the cold air. But sasa don't starve coz I said usifungue mlango ya fridge

Still on the fridge, the first thing I bought after university was a fridge because I thought it would reduce food waste Spoiler alert... It won't. Fridges store food. They can't change your dislike of non-fresh food taste etc. So unless you're up for behaviour change...

If you used to throw out a lot of food, it's likely that you'll still throw out a lot of food. The one thing they do, however, is add convenience of purchasing and storing raw food, right until KPLC switches off your electricity for days and you have to boil all your meat

Which brings me to a factor of appliances that's not in your control... Electricity availability and reliability. This is long hand for you can't use your appliance if electricity isn't available when you want it. Unless you can afford an off grid system, the grid is all you have

I've only mentioned the fridge because it tends to be the mainstay of appliances. So let's mention the microwave. The three things on appliances still stand. The microwave is such an uncomplicated appliance and here's the thing... You'll likely not use it for anything but heating

Yeah, it can grill, cook food, defrost but you know what you'll do most times? You'll throw whatever food in there and hit the minutes button. So don't get worried about buying a fancier microwave. You really, probably, won't use it unless you're a chef or something like that.

Next up is TVs. This one The three things up there still stand. But there's such a wide range of offerings that I invented a rule for appliances like TVs and fridges... I buy to last. What does that mean? I mean, like a phone, I try to buy something I won't want to replace...

... In two years. If you think you'll want a smart TV in 2 years, save up to buy that. If you think you'll want a 4K TV, the same... Try to buy to last, but within your comfort limit. When it comes to financing the appliance, try to stick to cash purchases if you can.

Which brings me to a crucial concept: planned obsolescence. Google the term and read up. Here is one of many links: https://www.consumersinternational.org/news-resources/blog/posts/built-to-fail-is-planned-obsolescence-really-happening/
Think of it as... If I make an appliance that will last 20 years, I'll run out of buying customers. So build in failure in some way.

You're also not in control for that one. For example, for my TV, the manufacturer I bought from stopped updating the Browser for a while. For someone who mostly streams online content and YouTube, if you stop updating apps, I'll be forced to buy a new one.

I complained and it seems to be updated these days. I can vaguely tell because Safcom have decided internet ya close to 6k si lazima ikue consistent. There's multiple ways that this can affect you but software tends to be the weakest link and they know that.

I'll have to end this one here and promise to continue some other day... Next weekend I think.

Here's a thread on cooking so I don't have to dive back into what I already said next time: https://twitter.com/W_Asherah/status/1276030967753445377?s=19