Energy Efficient Appliances

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

Here you will understand everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient devices are, what makes them different, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Long Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of less energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by requiring a different result. For example, choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are made to offer equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Less power usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a great place to start when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Energy conserving appliances work by utilizing the latest technology to minimize energy consumption. That might look like more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Energy Conserving Goods

Using low energy appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less resources it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a bigger initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our use of fossil fuels also preserves them for future generations.
Resource Security. With fuel costs constantly rising and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Actually Save Money?

Energy conserving appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable difference in your household bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it requires to run the bigger the likely savings. For example substituting an broken, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a much smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to make certain you understand your appliances efficiency functions to get the most significant 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 ticket price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t all about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air quality degradation and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to allow for an easily recognizable way for buyers to choose more eco-friendly devices.

Certified products must meet both power efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to performance and attributes.

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

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy might get the certification. Thus although making sure you see the star is a good starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for Your Home?

Electricity efficient appliances really do make a impact on an individual and international level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and models.

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

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

Paying for one bigger fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one at certain times of the year
When buying a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine twice is less efficient than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the best boiler will not save you money if it’s four times the capacity you need for your home.

Devices use more energy as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.