Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances appear very similar externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating costs.

In this article you can find out all you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Leading Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using decreased energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination 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 requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are made to provide equivalent results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity requirements result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are in comparison to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a good place to start when figuring out if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity saving appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washers
Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Low energy household appliances work by taking advantage of the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might be superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances

Using energy conserving devices makes sense for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires to complete its purpose. Meaning you can experience a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices might have a bigger up-front cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Energy Security. With energy costs continually rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Devices Genuinely Save Money?

Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and by association your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a noticeable fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy it uses to run the bigger the potential savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, could make a marked impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the savings will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you understand your household appliances energy saving settings to get the most significant savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t only about cutting costs. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have big impacts on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the burning of non-renewable resources that are likely to be correlated to air pollution and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for people to choose more eco-friendly appliances.

Certified products must meet both power consumption and consumer needs in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, devices are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 15% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient could get the certification. So although looking out for the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy devices really do make a impact at a local and global level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It shows the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to decide between brands and styles.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge is more efficient than having two little ones. Unless you only need the spare one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine twice will cost more than running a bigger machine once.
Even the best water heater will not save you money if it’s four times the capacity you require for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.