Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy economy and therefore running expenditure.

In this article you will understand everything you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Choice Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient appliances are created to give the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity usage result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are in comparison to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a good starting point when deciding if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Appliances

Some examples of low energy devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Low energy appliances work by employing the most up to date technology to maximize efficiency. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Energy Efficient Goods

Choosing electricity efficient appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it uses to complete its task. Meaning you can see a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our abuse of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy prices constantly increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Really Cost Less?

Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement household appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the more significant the potential savings. For example substituting an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, will make a notable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you understand your appliances energy saving functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Low Energy Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t just about saving you money. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the burning of oil and gas that can be correlated to air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is responding with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the rating, appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy might get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the rating is a simple place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?

Energy efficient devices really do make a difference at a local and national level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

Next time you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to compare makes and styles.

You may also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one large fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only use the extra one during the holidays
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a smaller machine two times uses more energy than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will not save you money if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.