Many devices appear very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating costs.
Here you will understand everything you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient appliances are, how they work, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Legacy Lawrence Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is using lower energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a filament light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy efficient devices are engineered to provide the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are when looked at next to other similar household appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy starting point when deciding if an appliance is low energy or not.
Types of Energy Conserving Appliances
Some examples of low energy devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Dishwashers
How Energy Efficient Appliances work
Energy efficient household appliances work by applying the best current technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might look like more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Goods
Switching to low energy appliances makes sense for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more economical a device is the less power it needs . Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient appliances are likely to have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Energy Security. With resource costs consistently rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Energy Efficient Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?
Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and therefore your utility bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the old and future devices, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the appliance you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it needs to run the bigger the possible savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your home, will make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was built last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the savings will be much lower.
You also have to make sure you understand your devices energy-efficient functions to get the best savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When comparing new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top decision for you.
How Energy Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment
Saving energy isn’t only about reducing your bills. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.
Human actions have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the burning of fossil fuels that can be linked to air pollution and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for consumers to decide upon more eco-friendly household appliances.
Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer needs in regards to performance and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the rating, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy would get the rating. Thus although looking out for the symbol is a good first step, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before picking the best one for you.
Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for You?
Electricity saving appliances really do make a impact on an individual and national level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.
When you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast makes and models.
You may also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Running one bigger fridge is more efficient than having two little ones. Unless you only need the extra one during the holidays
- When choosing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a smaller machine two times will cost more than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the lowest energy boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s four times the size you require for your home.
Devices reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.