Science has made it possible for man to endure harsh climatic conditions. Various electrical appliances help to make Taiwan's hot tropical summers more comfortable. They include electric fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, washers and juice makers.
Among these, electric fans have the widest usage and the longest history. Taiwan's first electric fans were jointly produced in 1947 by the Tatung Company and Westinghouse, who dominated the market for the next ten years. As more companies began to manufacture fans the industry grew, and continued to prosper despite the development of air conditioning on Taiwan in the late seventies.
Why haven't fans become obsolete? They are economical, easily transported, and less likely to aggravate rheumatism than air conditioning. Fan manufacturers' efforts to produce innovative, attractive, durable appliances have also prevented their decline.
Although a room may be equipped with air conditioning, it is often necessary to install a fan as well to circulate the cooled air and prevent it from accumulating in one area. Ceiling fans which can circulate air over a large area are most appropriate for this purpose. Such ceiling fans, made of wood and rattan, and designed in graceful ancient styles, are popular export items.
Taiwan's electric fan manufacturers have dedicated themselves to developing a variety of convenient, high quality fans by improving their materials and design. Heavy aluminum or iron fan leaves have in the last 20 years been replaced by light, economical plastics. Three years ago popular box fans began to replace the traditional round models. Innovative colored plastic fans which could be purchased for half the price of previous electric fans became widespread.
The darling of the summer appliance market is the air conditioner. Taiwan's air conditioner sales have increased 25% since 1978.
Taiwan had imported air conditioners around 1950. Expensive and few in number, they were purchased in American military commissaries. In 1965 the Sanyang Company and the Japanese Hitachi Company pooled their capital and began to jointly produce the first Taiwan made air conditioners. Air conditioners manufactured with pooled Taiwan and Japanese capital dominated the initial market. In efforts to promote national manufactures, the government eventually instituted regulations to control Chinese-Japanese joint production. Today, although some precision parts must still be imported, 80% of Taiwan's air conditioners are locally made.
Sanyang's business manager Hsieh Chia-i notes that the first stage in the development of air conditioner manufacture on Taiwan was to develop a powerful model which produced cold air with a minimum of noise. The next concern was to save electricity. Air conditioners consume a tremendous amount of electricity, causing electricity costs to double during the summer months. With the reality of a growing energy crisis, manufacturers must consider energy efficiency. The coefficient of the amount of electricity used per hour and the corresponding cooling capacity is called the energy efficiency ratio, or EER. In 1981 the Taiwan Electric Company began research on the EER, and minimum EER requirements for air conditioners were set up by the government. Companies soon began competing for buyers by advertising their energy efficiency ratios.
A third concern of air conditioner manufacturers is health. Nose allergies, sneezing and coughing can be caused by air conditioners that are excessively chilly or installed in the wrong location. Manufacturers have developed temperature and air flow controls to eliminate direct, excessively cold currents. One such control is a micro-computer which measures and regulates room temperature and humidity.
While lowering temperatures, air conditioners also serve to dehumidify the air, which is particularly humid in Taiwan. But sudden changes in humidity, especially for those suffering from rheumatism, asthma or chronic lung disease, can be very unhealthy. One way of preventing this is to keep the difference in temperature (and thus humidity), between indoors and outdoors from becoming excessive, or to install a humidifier. Some air conditioners are now equipped with humidifiers.
This year air conditioner manufacturers used such promotion techniques as "Buy Now, Pay Later" and offering free gifts and discounts to pre-season buyers. Early pre-season sales help to cut down storage costs, and allow manufacturers to estimate market demand to avoid peak season shortages.
Another important appliance during the summer is the refrigerator. Around 1960 Taiwan began to produce and market refrigerators. The earliest was a white, single door model without a defroster. Later multiple door models in a variety of colors and sizes, some equipped with defrosters, non-frost and timing devices, or computerized temperature controls became available. Energy efficiency, convenience and appearance have been the emphasis in new refrigerator designs.
One of the initial new refrigerators amazed the consumer with its ability to dispense ice and drinking water through a small door, saving the energy which is lost by opening the refrigerator. The current trend is toward computerized refrigerators, which adjust and self-regulate their freezing and cooling temperatures. In addition, with the growing number of working women, fresh foods are often purchased once a week rather than daily, creating a trend toward larger capacity refrigerators with convenient multiple compartments. Manufacturers are working to increase refrigerator capacity without changing the appliance's overall size or influencing its efficiency. Multiple compartments and moveable shelves are also being designed to make effective use of every inch of a refrigerator's capacity.
Clothes washers have also become universal appliances on Taiwan. They began to be popular in the late seventies and have been developing ever since. While the earliest models were manual, single-flow appliances with separate spin compartments, in time automatic, adjustable flow washers with a single compartment for washing, rinsing and spinning were developed. Models also became lighter and more colorful.
The first Taiwan manufactured washer, called "Happy Mother" was made by Sanyang in 1964.
The Sharp Company produced a whirlpool-style washer called "Love". High power, compact and economical it represented a breakthrough in product quality. In the seventies the influential International Company lived up to its reputation for leading the way in innovations manufacturing a fully automatic washer with wash, rinse, drain and spin cycles combined in a single compartment. The new washers use an improved water flow system which makes for more thorough washing and prevents clothes from knotting and becoming twisted. Future manufacturers will lean toward this type of washer.
Other increasingly popular appliances are blenders and juicers. This is only natural on an island rich in fruits and vegetables, whose population is becoming aware of the significance of good nutrition. With the addition of water or milk Taiwan's healthful fruits may be liquefied in a blender. Or they may be mashed, squeezed or filtered in a juicer. Blenders in Taiwan are universal and relatively inexpensive, while juicers tend to be much more costly.
How does the consumer choose a summer appliance from a wide variety of trademarks? Pick a reputable brand which provides a warranty for its products. Make yourself aware of each brand's emphasis. Is it attractiveness, economy, practicality or durability? The most costly appliances are not necessarily the most durable.
Room size must be considered when purchasing an air conditioner. Eight hundred Btu, (British thermal units) of cooling ability are required for every square p'ing. Rooms with blocked circulation, poor sealage, or exposure to the sun require more. It is advisable to buy an inspected air conditioner with a high EER. When choosing a refrigerator, pay attention to its food capacity. A capacity of 240 liters is adequate for a family of three.
In buying a washing machine, choose a low-noise model with a strong motor. Make sure it is made of materials which will not rust or corrode. One must also check the motor when buying an electric fan. If it is noisy, heats up or collects ash, choose another model.
Before buying a blender or juicer, try it out with water to test it for leakage. Check to make sure the sediment container on juices is adequate. Avoid overly complicated appliances which are difficult tso manipulate and clean.
In terms of use and maintenance, all appliances should be frequently lubricated with oil and kept in a ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Their electrical parts should never be rinsed in water.
Air conditioners are best installed 50 to 150 cm from the ground and set no higher than 26℃. Electric fans should not be used continually for a long period of time. If the motor heats up or gives off an odor, the fan should be immediately examined.
Other helpful hints? To save energy, hot foods should be cooled before going into a refrigerator, and frequent opening should be avoided. When not in use, unplug the refrigerator and open its doors. When in use, check periodically for temperature fluctuations.
Install a washer in a high, level area and do not overpack it with clothes. Cut fruits and vegetables before putting them into a juicer or blender, and presoak hard vegetables. Juicers and blenders should be washed and dried immediately after use.
With care and maintenance, a well-chosen appliance will bring continual comfort and convenience.
(Jill Ardourel)
[Picture Caption]
1.2. The air conditioner is the darling of the summer appliance market. Pictured is an upright, lightweight model, popular this summer because of its attractive appearance and efficiency.
Electric fans are the most universal of summer appliances. 1. A new type of hanging electric fan has recently been developed which is used along with air conditioning to circulate the air. It also provides lighting and decoration. 2. Electric box fans are easy to use and take up little space. 3. A traditional round standing electric fan.
Taiwan's refrigerator designs have become increasingly innovative. 1. Keeping bottled beverages in a small cold storage compartment is convenient and energy efficient. 2. This double door, family size refrigerator has a large storage capacity. 3. Small, compact refrigerators are appropriate for bedroom use in a "two refrigerator family". 4. A young family can enjoy a refreshing breakfast of cold fruits and juices, taken from a refrigerator which is conveniently installed nearby.
1.2. In the summer months when clothing is changed most frequently, a washer helps save the housewife time and energy. 3. Manipulation of this washing machine's touch control panel is easy and convenient.
As modern Chinese society consumes more and more fresh fruit and vegetable juices, juicers and blenders are becoming increasingly popular.
1.2. The air conditioner is the darling of the summer appliance market. Pictured is an upright, lightweight model, popular this summer because of its attractive appearance and efficiency.
Electric fans are the most universal of summer appliances. 1. A new type of hanging electric fan has recently been developed which is used along with air conditioning to circulate the air. It also provides lighting and decoration.
2. Electric box fans are easy to use and take up little space.
3. A traditional round standing electric fan.
Taiwan's refrigerator designs have become increasingly innovative. 1. Keeping bottled beverages in a small cold storage compartment is convenient and energy efficient.
2. This double door, family size refrigerator has a large storage capacity.
3. Small, compact refrigerators are appropriate for bedroom use in a "two refrigerator family".
4. A young family can enjoy a refreshing breakfast of cold fruits and juices, taken from a refrigerator which is conveniently installed nearby.
圖:夏日喝蔬果原汁,解渴又營養,果汁機與榨汁機大為流行。.
圖:夏日喝蔬果原汁,解渴又營養,果汁機與榨汁機大為流行。.
3. Manipulation of this washing machine's touch control panel is easy and convenient.
As modern Chinese society consumes more and more fresh fruit and vegetable juices, juicers and blenders are becoming increasingly popular.
As modern Chinese society consumes more and more fresh fruit and vegetable juices, juicers and blenders are becoming increasingly popular.
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