Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy economy and consequently running expenditure.

Here you will discover everything you need to know about low energy appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity saving household appliances are, what makes them different, 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 United Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a standard bulb with a lower energy fluorescent 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 similar to but not the same as energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving household appliances are engineered to provide the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower energy usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are in comparison to other similar appliances.

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

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some different types of electricity efficient appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Air Purifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Appliances work

Energy efficient appliances work by utilizing the most up to date techniques to ensure they use as little energy as possible. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Energy Conserving Appliances

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

  1. Reducing energy. The more economical a device is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can see a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a more expensive initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. 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. Reducing our use of natural resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With resource prices consistently increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Genuinely Save Money?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a noticeable difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and new household appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the possible savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your home, will make a marked difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is just 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you are looking to 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 understand your appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t all about reducing your bills. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have big impacts on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of non-renewable resources that appear to be linked to air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable devices.

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

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to have the star mark, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their grouping.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy might get the certification. So although making sure you see the symbol is a simple place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity efficient household appliances really do make a impact at an individual and international level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to decide between brands and models.

You might also want to check how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.

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

  • Paying for one full size fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one during the holidays
  • When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a smaller machine two times uses more energy than using a higher capacity machine once.
  • Even the most efficient boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you need 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 use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances