Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy economy and therefore running expenditure.

Here you will learn everything you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient appliances are, how they work, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Anderson’s Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is employing lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient household appliances are made to give the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced energy usage result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are compared to other equal capacity household appliances.

These simple labels can be a great place to start when determining if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Household Appliances

Some examples of electricity efficient devices include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Electricity efficient household appliances work by applying the best current techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Energy Conserving Appliances

Switching to energy conserving appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient a device is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can see a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices might have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our use of natural resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy prices constantly going up and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Really Reduce Bills?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and by association your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the device needs to run the more significant the likely savings. I.e substituting an old, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your space, will make a notable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

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

You also have to make sure you use your appliances energy saving settings to get the greatest savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the prime choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of non-renewable resources that have been correlated to air quality degradation and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is replying with more environmentally friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to allow for an easily understandable way for buyers to choose more efficient appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

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

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 15% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient might get the rating. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a simple first step, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy efficient household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and designs.

You’ll also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Paying for one large fridge is more efficient than having two little ones. Unless you only need the spare one during the holidays
When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a smaller machine twice will cost more than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the best water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.