Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances look very comparable outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating costs.

In this article you will understand all you need to know about electricity saving appliances. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, how they operate, 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 EZ Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a traditional bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient household appliances are designed to offer equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower power usage result in lower utility bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are compared to other comparable appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy first point of call when deciding if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some examples of electricity saving appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Low Energy Devices work

Electricity efficient appliances work by applying the most up to date technology to make sure they use as little power as they can. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Appliances

Using energy efficient appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it uses to undertake its task. Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices are likely to have a more expensive initial cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Resource Security. With fuel costs constantly going up and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Energy efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and future appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you understand your household appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about cutting costs. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have big effects on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of non-renewable resources that can be responsible for air quality decline and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is replying with more environmentally friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to ensure an quickly detectable way for people to opt-for more eco-friendly household appliances.

Certified products must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to quality and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the rating, appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard product in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 15% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient would 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 Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Electricity efficient devices really do make a impression at an individual and national level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

When you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to contrast brands and designs.

You’ll also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Running one big fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one at certain times of the year
When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine multiple times will cost more than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

Devices reduce in efficiency as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that use the most energy.