Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices look very comparable outwardly but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.

In this article you will understand all you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages 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 DC Appliance Repair ASAP.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient devices are engineered to provide equivalent results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy usage result in lower utility bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity household appliances.

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

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity saving appliances include:

  • Fridges
  • Air Purifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Low energy devices work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might look like better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Goods

Switching to low energy devices is a good idea for many reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less energy it uses to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient appliances may have a higher ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With fuel costs constantly increasing and natural resources always depleting choosing energy-efficient devices makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Household Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

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

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your household bills will depend on the difference between the old and future household appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the appliance requires to run the greater the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you understand your household appliances energy saving 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 comparing new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

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

Our actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of non-renewable resources that are likely to be linked to air quality degradation and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was started in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for consumers to decide upon more efficient devices.

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

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base model in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 15% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient would get the rating. Therefore although making sure you see the symbol is a good starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a impact on an individual and national level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

When you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to decide between brands and styles.

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

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

  • Having one big fridge requires less energy than having two little ones. Unless you only need the second 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 will cost more than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the best water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you need for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances