Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating expenditure.

In this article you can learn all you need to know about electricity saving appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving appliances are, how they operate, the benefits 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 Elite Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using decreased energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient household appliances are created to offer equivalent results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced energy requirements result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.

Many devices currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less energy than base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are compared to other comparable appliances.

These ratings can be a handy place to start when deciding if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances

Some examples of energy conserving appliances include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Air Purifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Low energy appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date techniques to maximize efficiency. That might look like more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Devices

Using energy efficient household appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less resources it requires . Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient devices may have a more expensive initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our use of natural resources also preserves them for future generations.
  4. Energy Security. With fuel costs continually going up and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Household Appliances Really Save Money?

Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a noticeable difference in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and new devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device needs to run the more significant the possible savings. For example substituting an worn out, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a marked difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a markedly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much less.

You also have to make sure you make use of your household appliances efficiency settings to get the most significant reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Environment

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

Human actions have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of fossil fuels that can be correlated to air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to allow for an quickly detectable way for people to opt-for more efficient devices.

Certified appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to quality and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the rating, household appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their grouping.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient might get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the rating is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance Right for You?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impact at a local and international level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to compare makes and models.

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

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Having one big fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only need the extra one occasionally
  • When purchasing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a smaller machine multiple times uses more energy than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the most efficient water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the capacity you require for your home.

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

Additional Types of Appliances

CLICK-TO-CALL