Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances look very comparable outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you will understand all you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving appliances are, how they work, the benefits of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Keen Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

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

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are designed to give the same outcomes 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 marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances display EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable appliances.

These ratings can be a handy first point of call when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Devices

Some examples of energy conserving household appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Energy conserving household appliances work by utilizing the best current technology to minimize energy consumption. That might be better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Appliances

Choosing electricity saving appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient a device is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can see a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a more expensive initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our abuse of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With resource prices continually going up and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Household Appliances Really Cost Less?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and therefore your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable difference in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and future appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy it needs to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to ensure you understand your household appliances energy saving settings to get the best savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will make sure you make the top decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Devices Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have big effects on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the consumption of non-renewable resources that are likely to be linked to air quality degradation and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to provide an readily understandable way for buyers to decide upon more efficient devices.

Rated appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to quality and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the rating, devices must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard product in their category.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy might get the rating. So although making sure you see the star is a great starting point, it is still worth checking the actual figures before making your final choice.

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

Electricity saving household appliances really do make a impact on an individual and national level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and models.

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

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only need the extra one occasionally
When buying a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the lowest energy boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the capacity you should be using for your home.

Household appliances use more energy as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.