Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances look very comparable outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and as a result operating costs.

Here you can understand all you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient appliances are, how they work, the benefits 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 Crown Citrus Heights Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are created to give equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are in comparison to other similar appliances.

These ratings can be a handy place to start when deciding if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient appliances include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Low energy devices work by applying the latest techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Low Energy Appliances

Using electricity efficient household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it requires to complete its purpose. Meaning you can gain a noticeable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient appliances might have a bigger initial cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our use of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With fuel prices continually increasing and natural resources continually being used up choosing more efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Efficient Household Appliances Really Reduce Bills?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a big difference in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy it requires to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to ensure you understand your devices energy saving functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Appliances Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have big effects on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of non-renewable resources that can be linked to air pollution and global warming.

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

What are ENERGY STAR marked Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was started in 1992 to ensure an readily detectable way for buyers to decide upon more eco-friendly devices.

Rated products must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to quality and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy could get the symbol. So although looking out for the star is a good first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impression at an individual and global level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

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

You’ll also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make better comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Paying for one big fridge requires less energy than having two smaller ones. Unless you only use the spare one during the holidays
When choosing a new washing machine think about the load size as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than using a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the best boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s three times the spec you need for your home.

Devices use more energy as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the items that use the most energy.