The majority of appliances appear very comparable from the outside but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and as a result operating expenditure.
Here you will understand everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, how they work, 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 QuickFix Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is using decreased energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient 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 requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the washing machine when you have a full load.
Electricity saving devices are made to give the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.
Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable household appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy first point of call when deciding if a device is low energy or not.
Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances
Some examples of low energy devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washers
- Tumble Dryers
How Low Energy Household Appliances work
Low energy appliances work by utilizing the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Devices
Using electricity saving household appliances makes sense for many reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less power it needs . Meaning you can experience a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a bigger initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our exploitation of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Resource Security. With energy prices constantly going up and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Low Energy Household Appliances Actually Cost Less?
Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and by association your utility bills.
How much you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement household appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the appliance uses to run the bigger the possible savings. I.e substituting an broken, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.
You also have to ensure you make use of your appliances energy saving settings to get the greatest savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the top decision for you.
How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Environment
Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about cutting costs. Minimizing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.
The things we do have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of oil and gas that can be linked to air quality degradation and global warming.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an easily recognizable way for people to choose more eco-friendly household appliances.
Rated appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the rating, household appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard model in their class.
However, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 12% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient might get the symbol. Thus although making sure you see the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before making your final choice.
Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?
Energy efficient appliances really do make a impact at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.
If you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This shows the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to decide between brands and models.
You might also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Having one large fridge is more efficient than paying for two little ones. Unless you only need the spare one at certain times of the year
- When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine two times will cost more than using a higher capacity machine once.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.
Household appliances use more energy as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that use the most energy.