Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you will discover everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient household appliances are, how they operate, the advantages of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Cole Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a standard bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are designed to provide the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are in comparison to other equal capacity devices.

These simple labels can be a good first point of call when deciding if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances

Some examples of energy efficient devices include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Electricity saving household appliances work by applying the best current technology to maximize efficiency. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Goods

Switching to electricity saving appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less power it uses to undertake its task. Meaning you can experience a sizable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although more efficient appliances might have a more expensive ticket price they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our abuse of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future generations.
Resource Security. With fuel costs continually rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Low Energy Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a big reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future devices, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e substituting an old, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced 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 household appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t just about saving you money. Minimizing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have big impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of fossil fuels that have been linked to air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more eco-friendly devices.

Certified products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy would get the certification. Thus although looking out for the star is a good place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving appliances really do make a impression at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

When you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This shows the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to contrast makes and styles.

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

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Paying for one large fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only need the second one occasionally
When buying a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the best water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you need for your home.

Household appliances use more energy as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.