Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating costs.

In this article you can find out everything you need to know about energy efficient devices. Learn more about what energy electricity saving household 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 Factory Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are made to offer the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower power requirements result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less power than lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are in comparison to other equal capacity appliances.

These simple labels can be a great place to start when deciding if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some examples of energy efficient devices include:

Refrigerators
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances work

Energy efficient appliances work by applying the latest technology to make sure they use as little power as they can. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Efficient Devices

Choosing electricity efficient household appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can see a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices may have a bigger up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our abuse of fossil fuels also conserves them for future generations.
Resource Security. With fuel prices consistently rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Really Save Money?

Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and in turn your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a substantial reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new household appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the likely savings. I.e substituting an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your home, will make a notable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built last century you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you make use of your devices energy-efficient 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 devices factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of fossil fuels that are likely to be responsible for air quality degradation and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is responding with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to allow for an quickly recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy performance and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the rating. So although only looking at products with the symbol is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

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

When you are shopping for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to compare makes and styles.

You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Having one big fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only use the second one during the holidays
When buying a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a lower capacity machine twice uses more energy than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the best boiler will not reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that use the most energy.