Most devices appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating expenditure.
In this article you will learn everything you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity saving appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Champion Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is employing lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy 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 related to but not the same as energy conservation which involves employing less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Electricity efficient devices are engineered to give equivalent results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Less energy requirements result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable appliances.
These simple labels can be a good place to start when determining if an appliance is energy conserving or not.
Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances
Some examples of energy conserving household appliances include:
- Fridges
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Energy Efficient Appliances work
Electricity saving devices work by applying the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Appliances
Using energy conserving household appliances makes sense for many reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more economical a device is the less power it uses to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Saving money. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a more expensive ticket price they will generally save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our exploitation of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Resource Security. With resource prices consistently increasing and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?
Energy efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your utility bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and future devices, 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 it uses to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a much less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less significant.
You also have to make sure you make use of your household appliances energy-efficient functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When comparing new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the prime decision for you.
How Low Energy Appliances Help the Planet
Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
Human actions have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the consumption of non-renewable resources that have been responsible for air pollution and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?
The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to ensure an readily detectable way for consumers to decide upon more eco-friendly devices.
Certified products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to performance and attributes.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the symbol. Thus although looking out for the symbol is a great first step, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before making your final choice.
Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?
Energy efficient appliances really do make a difference at a local and international level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.
If you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to decide between brands and styles.
You might also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Running one full size fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only need the spare 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 two times uses more energy than using a bigger machine once.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you need for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.