Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and therefore running expenditure.

In this article you can understand all you need to know about energy efficient devices. Discover what energy electricity efficient appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Payne Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing lower energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which requires using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving appliances are designed to offer equivalent results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced power requirements result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

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

These ratings can be a good first point of call when determining if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Low Energy Household Appliances

Some different types of low energy appliances include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Devices work

Energy conserving appliances work by employing the most up to date technology to make sure they waste as little energy as possible. That might be superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient Devices

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

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less power it requires to complete its task. Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances might have a bigger up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With resource prices continually rising and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Efficient Devices Really Cost Less?

Low energy devices save you money by reducing your power usage and therefore your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device uses to run the greater the potential savings. For example substituting an old, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your space, could make a noticeable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a significantly less noticeable impact.

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

You also have to ensure you use your household appliances efficiency settings to get the greatest reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

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

How Low Energy Devices Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t just about cutting costs. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of oil and gas that have been responsible for air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is reacting with more environmentally friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for buyers to opt-for more efficient devices.

Rated products must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that is 10% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient would get the certification. Thus although only looking at products with the symbol is a simple first step, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance Right for You?

Energy conserving appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.

Next time you are in the market for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to decide between makes and styles.

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

Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Running one bigger fridge is more efficient than paying for two small ones. Unless you only use the extra one at certain times of the year
When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine twice is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the best boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you need for your home.

Household appliances 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 contribute most to your overall energy usage.