Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and therefore running expenditure.

Here you will understand everything you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Discover what energy low energy appliances are, how they work, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Township Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using decreased energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg 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.

Low energy household appliances are engineered to give equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Reduced power usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are in comparison to other similar appliances.

These simple labels can be a great starting point when figuring out if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Low Energy Appliances

Some examples of electricity saving devices include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Air Purifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances work

Energy efficient household appliances work by utilizing the latest technology to minimize energy consumption. That might mean better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Low Energy Devices

Using low energy devices makes sense for many reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices are likely to have a bigger up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
  4. Energy Security. With resource prices consistently increasing and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Genuinely Save Money?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and in turn your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy it uses to run the bigger the likely savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a marked impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made last century you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you use your appliances energy-efficient settings to get the best reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about saving you money. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have irreversible impacts on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of oil and gas that can be responsible for air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is responding 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 mark was formed in 1992 to allow for an quickly recognizable way for consumers to opt-for more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated products must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the star mark, household appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient might get the certification. So although looking out for the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Low energy appliances really do make a impact at a local and national level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

Next time you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to decide between brands and styles.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

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

  • Paying for one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
  • When buying a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a space saving machine twice will cost more than turning on a bigger machine once.
  • Even the most efficient water heater will be unable to 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 are able to, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances