Most household appliances appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and as a result running expenditure.
In this article you will understand everything you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Discover what energy energy conserving household appliances are, how they work, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Reliable Redding Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a standard bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Electricity efficient devices are engineered to give equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less energy than lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable devices.
These ratings can be a good starting point when figuring out if an appliance is low energy or not.
Types of Energy Efficient Household Appliances
Some examples of low energy appliances include:
- Fridges
- Air Conditioners
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances work
Electricity efficient appliances work by utilizing the best current techniques to maximize efficiency. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.
Advantages of Energy Conserving Appliances
Using energy efficient household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less resources it requires . Meaning you can gain a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient appliances may have a more expensive ticket price they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our abuse of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future generations.
- Energy Security. With fuel prices continually increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive devices makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Electricity Efficient Devices Really Save Money?
Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your energy bills.
How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and new devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.
The older the good you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the appliance requires to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your space, will make a noticeable impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the money you save will be much less.
You also have to make sure you use your household appliances energy-efficient settings to get the most significant savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When comparing new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.
How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment
Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about cutting costs. Reducing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have massive impacts on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the use of non-renewable resources that are likely to be responsible for air pollution and climate change.
As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for buyers to choose more eco-friendly devices.
Certified appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their category.
However, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 12% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient could get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the star is a simple first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Energy conserving appliances really do make a impact at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.
When you are looking for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to contrast makes and styles.
You’ll also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Paying for one big fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one during the holidays
- When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a smaller machine multiple times will cost more than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the capacity you need for your home.
Household appliances get less efficient as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.