Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances look very comparable outwardly but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating expenditure.

In this article you can find out everything you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Like-New Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of reduced energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg 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.

Electricity efficient devices are created to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less energy than base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity household appliances.

These simple labels can be a good starting point when figuring out if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Low Energy Household Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Electricity efficient devices work by applying the best current technology to maximize efficiency. That might be superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Appliances

Switching to energy efficient household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient a device is the less resources it requires . Meaning you can experience a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances may have a more expensive initial cost they will usually save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our wastefulness of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Resource Security. With energy costs continually going up and natural resources constantly depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Genuinely Cost Less?

Low energy devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and by association your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future household appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, will make a notable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you make use of your household appliances energy saving settings to get the best 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 ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Environment

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

Our actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air quality decline and climate change.

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

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly recognizable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.

Certified appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer requirements in regards to quality and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the star mark, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base product in their category.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy would get the certification. Thus although only looking at products with the rating is a simple first step, it is still worth checking the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

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

If you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it simpler to contrast makes and designs.

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

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

Having one big fridge requires less energy than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one at certain times of the year
When buying a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine multiple times is less efficient than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the best water heater will never save you money if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.

Devices reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the items that use the most energy.