Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices look very similar externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you can discover everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy appliances are, how they work, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Green Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using reduced energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent 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 different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving household appliances are designed to offer equivalent results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower energy usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a good place to start when figuring out if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of low energy appliances include:

Refrigerators
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Energy conserving appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date techniques to maximize efficiency. That might be superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Efficient Appliances

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

Reducing energy. The more economical a device is the less resources it needs to undertake its task. Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances may have a higher up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With fuel costs consistently increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive devices makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Actually Save Money?

Low energy devices save you money by reducing your power usage and by association your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a big reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and new devices, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the greater the potential savings. For example replacing an worn out, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your space, will make a marked impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you use your appliances efficiency settings to get the most significant savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When examining new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Devices Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t only about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of fossil fuels that can 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 decisions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for people to choose more efficient household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 12% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient might get the symbol. Therefore although looking out for the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving devices really do make a difference at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast brands and designs.

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 appliances. For example:

Paying for one large fridge is more efficient than having two little ones. Unless you only need the extra one during the holidays
When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine two times is less efficient than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

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