Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and as a result running expenditure.

Here you can understand everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact King Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a standard light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which requires using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient household appliances are designed to provide equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are in comparison to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a great place to start when determining if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances

Some different types of energy efficient appliances include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work

Electricity efficient appliances work by applying the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances

Using electricity saving appliances makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less resources it uses to complete its task. Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient household appliances might have a higher up-front cost 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 non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With resource costs consistently rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing more efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Actually Save Money?

Electricity saving household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future household appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it requires to run the more significant the possible savings. For example replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you use your devices energy saving settings to get the greatest savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

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

How Low Energy Devices Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t just about saving you money. Cutting energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have irreversible effects on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the consumption of oil and gas that have been linked to air pollution and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to provide an readily recognizable way for consumers to opt-for more sustainable appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to gain the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the rating is a great first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy efficient devices really do make a difference at an individual and global level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between brands and designs.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Having one large fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only turn on the second one during the holidays
When purchasing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice uses more energy than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the most efficient water heater will not save you money if it’s four times the size you need for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.