The majority of appliances appear very comparable externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and consequently operating expenditure.
In this article you can find out everything you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Hometown Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a filament bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing 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 engineered to offer equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Less power usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many household appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are compared to other similar household appliances.
These ratings can be a great place to start when figuring out if an appliance is energy efficient or not.
Types of Energy Efficient Household Appliances
Some different types of energy conserving household appliances include:
- Fridges
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washers
- Dishwashers
How Energy Efficient Appliances work
Low energy devices work by employing the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.
Benefits of Electricity Saving Devices
Switching to electricity efficient appliances makes sense for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less power it requires to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can gain a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although lower energy household appliances might have a more expensive up-front cost they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Resource Security. With resource prices continually going up and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Low Energy Devices Genuinely Save Money?
Electricity saving devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your utility bills.
How much you save and whether or not you see a substantial difference in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and new appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it needs to run the bigger the potential savings. For example replacing an worn out, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a marked difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.
You also have to ensure you understand your devices efficiency functions to get the greatest savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When examining new household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.
How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet
Saving energy isn’t just about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that appear to be responsible for air quality decline and climate change.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?
The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to provide an readily detectable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.
Certified products must meet both power performance and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the rating, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient could get the rating. Thus although making sure you see the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.
Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Electricity efficient appliances really do make a impact at a local and global level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.
If you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between makes and models.
You may also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Having one full size fridge is more efficient than having two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one at certain times of the year
- When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine multiple times will cost more than using a bigger machine once.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the spec you require for your home.
Devices use more energy as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.