Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy economy and therefore running costs.

Here you can understand all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Powell Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is making use of reduced energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient devices are created to provide equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Less electricity requirements result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are compared to other comparable appliances.

These ratings can be a great place to start when figuring out if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of electricity saving household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work

Low energy devices work by taking advantage of the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might be better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Appliances

Using electricity efficient devices is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can see a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances might have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our exploitation of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy prices consistently rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Conserving Household Appliances Actually Save Money?

Electricity saving household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and future household appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance uses to run the bigger the likely savings. For example replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your home, will make a marked impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much less.

You also have to ensure you understand your appliances energy saving 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 appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t just about saving you money. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of non-renewable resources that can be linked to air pollution and global warming.

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

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to ensure an easily detectable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to quality and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base model in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy would get the rating. So although making sure you see the symbol is a good first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Low energy devices really do make a impact at an individual and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast brands and models.

You might 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 home appliances. For example:

Running one large fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only need the spare one during the holidays
When choosing a replacement washing machine think about 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 once.
Even the most efficient water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s three times the capacity you require for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they get older so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.