Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.

In this article you can discover all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy low energy devices are, how they operate, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Elite Euless Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of reduced energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a standard bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by requiring a different result. For example, 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.

Energy efficient household appliances are engineered to provide the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower energy usage result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.

Many household appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a good starting point when deciding if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances

Some examples of low energy appliances include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Air Conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Washers
  • Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Devices work

Energy efficient appliances work by applying the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might be better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Saving Goods

Choosing energy efficient devices is a good idea for many reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less energy it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices are likely to have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
  4. Fuel Security. With resource costs constantly increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Actually Save Money?

Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and new appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device needs to run the bigger the potential savings. For example replacing an broken, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, will make a marked difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the savings will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you understand your appliances energy saving 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 household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will ensure you make the top decision for you.

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment

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

Our actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels 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 choices the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to provide an easily detectable way for people to opt-for more sustainable appliances.

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

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the star mark, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient could get the symbol. Thus although only looking at products with the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy efficient household appliances really do make a impact on an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to decide between brands and models.

You might also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Paying for one large fridge requires less energy than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one during the holidays
  • When buying a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine multiple times is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
  • Even the most efficient water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you need for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances