Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances appear very similar outwardly but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating expenditure.

In this article you can find out everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Remedy Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of reduced energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same illumination 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 making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are created to offer equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are when looked at next to other equal capacity devices.

These simple labels can be a handy starting point when determining if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances

Some examples of low energy appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Low energy devices work by utilizing the best current technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Devices

Using electricity efficient devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it requires . Meaning you can experience a sizable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient 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 electricity we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Resource Security. With fuel prices constantly going up and natural resources constantly depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Really Cost Less?

Energy conserving appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new household appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the device uses to run the greater the potential savings. I.e substituting an broken, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, will make a noticeable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

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

You also have to ensure you understand your appliances efficiency settings to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When comparing new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have big effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of non-renewable resources that appear to be responsible for air quality decline and global warming.

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

What are ENERGY STAR rated Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for people to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy could get the certification. So although making sure you see the rating is a great first step, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?

Low energy appliances really do make a impact at an individual and global level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

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

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

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

Running one large fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only use the second one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the lowest energy boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.