Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very similar outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and therefore running expenditure.

In this article you will learn everything you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, what makes them different, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Choice Carmel Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

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

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving household appliances are engineered to offer the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Less power requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are in comparison to other comparable household appliances.

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

Types of Electricity Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Energy conserving appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might be better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Devices

Switching to low energy devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical a device is the less resources it uses to undertake its task. Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient appliances are likely to have a higher up-front cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of fossil fuels also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy prices consistently increasing and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Household Appliances Really Cost Less?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your power consumption and therefore your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a big fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device uses to run the more significant the possible savings. For example replacing an worn out, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, will make a marked difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

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

You also have to make sure you make use of your devices energy saving functions to get the best reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Planet

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

The things we do have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that are likely to be linked to air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is replying with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to provide an quickly recognizable way for people to decide upon more sustainable devices.

Rated products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to quality and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to have the rating, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 10% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient would get the certification. Therefore although making sure you see the rating is a simple place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy conserving appliances really do make a impression at an individual and international level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and designs.

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

Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than having two smaller ones. Unless you only need the second one during the holidays
When buying a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than running a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy boiler will not save you money if it’s four times the spec you require for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.