Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances look very comparable on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and as a result running expenditure.

In this article you will discover all you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient 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 Ware 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 a traditional bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which requires using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are engineered to provide the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are in comparison to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a good starting point when deciding if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Devices

Some examples of low energy household appliances include:

Refrigerators
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Electricity saving appliances work by employing the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might be better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Efficient Devices

Switching to electricity efficient appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it uses to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although more efficient devices are likely to have a more expensive ticket price they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With resource prices continually increasing and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Really Cost Less?

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

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable reduction in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and new appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the greater the possible savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, will make a noticeable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you make use of your devices energy saving functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Minimizing energy usage also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of non-renewable resources that are likely to be linked to air pollution and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to ensure an quickly recognizable way for people to opt-for more efficient household appliances.

Rated products must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the rating, appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 15% less energy and one that uses 22% less energy could get the rating. Therefore although making sure you see the symbol is a good first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy efficient household appliances really do make a impact at an individual and international level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

When you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast makes and models.

You might also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Having one full size fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine multiple times will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s three times the capacity you should be using for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the items that use the most energy.