Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.

In this article you will learn everything you need to know about energy efficient devices. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Ericson Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using reduced energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing a standard light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient household appliances are made to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower power usage result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a great starting point when determining if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity saving devices include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances work

Electricity saving household appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date techniques to ensure they waste as little energy as possible. That might be superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Appliances

Switching to energy efficient appliances makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it requires to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a higher initial cost 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 wastefulness of fossil fuels also keeps them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With resource prices consistently going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Genuinely Save Money?

Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and in turn your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and future household appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the appliance needs to run the bigger the potential savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to ensure you make use of your household appliances efficiency functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of oil and gas that can be linked to air quality degradation and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to ensure an readily understandable way for buyers to choose more eco-friendly household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the star mark, household appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base product in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy would get the symbol. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy efficient devices really do make a impact at an individual and international level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

Next time you are in the market for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to decide between makes and styles.

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

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two small ones. Unless you only use the extra one during the holidays
When buying a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a smaller machine multiple times is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the best water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you require for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.