Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices appear very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating costs.

In this article you can learn all you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient devices are, what makes them different, the advantages 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 Reed Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of less energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are designed to provide the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Less energy requirements result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a handy place to start when determining if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some different types of electricity saving devices include:

Refrigerators
Air Purifiers
Boilers
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances work

Electricity efficient devices work by applying the latest techniques to make sure they use as little electric as possible. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient Devices

Switching to low energy devices is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it requires . Meaning you can experience a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient appliances may have a more expensive initial cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our exploitation of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With energy prices constantly increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Devices Really Save Money?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a big reduction in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and new appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e substituting an broken, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a marked difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

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

You also have to make certain you use 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 contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have big impacts on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels that appear to be correlated to air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more environmentally friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for consumers to opt-for more sustainable appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to gain the rating, devices are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard product in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy would get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the rating is a good starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving devices really do make a impact at a local and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

When you are in the market for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This shows the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to compare brands and models.

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

Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Having one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only need the second one at certain times of the year
When buying a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy boiler will never save you money if it’s two times the spec you need for your home.

Devices reduce in efficiency as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that use the most energy.