Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you can discover all you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Stone Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a filament bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are engineered to provide the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Less electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

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

These ratings can be a great place to start when deciding if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of energy efficient appliances include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Energy efficient devices work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to maximize efficiency. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Electricity Saving Appliances

Switching to energy efficient devices makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less energy it uses to undertake its task. Meaning you can see a noticeable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy household appliances might have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With fuel costs continually rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Low Energy Devices Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Low energy devices save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and replacement household appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device needs to run the greater the likely savings. I.e substituting an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, will make a notable impact whereas upgrading 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 could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you use your appliances energy saving 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 examining new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the prime decision for you.

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment

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

The things we do have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that can be linked to air pollution and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to ensure an readily detectable way for people to choose more sustainable appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer needs in regards to performance and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the star mark, appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 15% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient would get the certification. Therefore although making sure you see the star is a great place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving devices really do make a impression at a local and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to compare makes and styles.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Running one large fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only use the extra 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 lower capacity machine two times is less efficient than running a bigger machine once.
Even the most efficient water heater will never save you money if it’s three times the size you need for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.