This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Ragan, G. E. Articles by Young, R. A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Use of Accelerated Testing Methods with Survey Data: How Water Quality Affects Appliance Life

Science Applications International Corporation

Carole J. Makela

Robert A. Young

Colorado State University

Salinity (mineral content), which is present naturally in residential water, affects the service lives of water-using appliances. We surveyed, by mail, 681 households in the Arkansas River basin in southeastern Colorado, where tap water salinity varies from 100 to 3,500 mg/L. The survey collected information on ages of appliances in service and on ages atfailure. We developed a generalized method of accelerated testing and used it with the survey data to estimate the effect of salinity on service lives. The method allowed us to use information on in-service appliances. Ignoring in-service appliances, as was done in similar previously published studies, can lead to biased service life estimates. The results of the present application can (a) help householders decide whether to buy corrosion resistant appliances, tolerate higher maintenance costs, or seek alternative-supplies and (b) help public water agencies assess alternative water quality management policies.

Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, Vol. 24, No. 3, 254-271 (1996)
DOI: 10.1177/1077727X960243003


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?