Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances appear very similar externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and as a result running expenditure.

Here you can understand everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Discover what energy electricity saving appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Peerless Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a standard light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are designed to provide equivalent results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are when looked at next to other similar appliances.

These ratings can be a handy starting point when determining if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Low Energy Household Appliances

Some different types of low energy household appliances include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Low energy devices work by employing the most up to date techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might be superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Appliances

Switching to energy efficient appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less power it requires to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient appliances may have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With energy costs constantly going up and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Low Energy Household Appliances Really Reduce Bills?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and in turn your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement household appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the device uses to run the more significant the possible savings. For example substituting an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, will make a notable difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you use your appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t all about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the burning of fossil fuels that appear to be linked to air quality decline and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to provide an readily detectable way for people to opt-for more efficient devices.

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

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to have the rating, appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the rating. Thus although only looking at products with the star is a simple first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

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

Energy efficient devices really do make a impact at a local and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast brands and designs.

You may also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one full size fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one at certain times of the year
When purchasing a new washing machine think about the load size as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s three times the size you need for your home.

Household appliances use more energy as they age so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.