Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances look very similar externally but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.

Here you will discover everything you need to know about low energy household appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact ASAP Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing a filament bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are designed to provide the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower energy requirements result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less power than lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are compared to other similar household appliances.

These ratings can be a great first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some examples of energy efficient devices include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Low energy appliances work by employing the most up to date techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might be superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient Goods

Switching to energy conserving appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical a device is the less resources it needs to complete its task. Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient appliances may have a more expensive ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With energy costs continually rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing more efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Genuinely Save Money?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and in turn your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a big reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement household appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the likely 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 home, could make a notable difference whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in the last 10 years the savings will be much less.

You also have to ensure you use your devices energy-efficient functions to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Appliances Help the Planet

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

The things we do have massive effects 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 have been correlated to air quality decline and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to allow for an easily recognizable way for people to opt-for more sustainable household appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base model in their grouping.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 15% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient could get the certification. So although only looking at products with the symbol is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a impact on an individual and international level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

Next time you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to contrast brands and models.

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

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

Running one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one occasionally
When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than running a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you should be using for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that use the most energy.