Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances appear very comparable externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you can discover everything you need to know about low energy devices. Discover what energy low energy appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact H&H Denton Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a filament light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting 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 household appliances are made to give the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy requirements result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are in comparison to other similar household appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy first point of call when determining if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Air Conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Devices Work

Low energy household appliances work by utilizing the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Electricity Saving Goods

Switching to low energy devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less energy it needs . Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices may have a more expensive initial cost they will usually save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With fuel costs consistently rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Actually Cost Less?

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

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device needs to run the more significant the likely savings. I.e substituting an broken, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your home, will make a notable impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you use your appliances energy-efficient settings to get the greatest savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When examining new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. Reducing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of non-renewable resources that have been responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power performance and consumer expectations in regards to quality and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard product in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient would get the rating. Therefore although making sure you see the star is a good first step, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy appliances really do make a difference at a local and international level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

Next time you are looking for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to contrast brands and styles.

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

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Running one big fridge requires less energy than having two smaller ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
  • When buying a new washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine two times will cost more than using a bigger machine for a single run.
  • Even the most efficient boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you require for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances