Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very comparable from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result running costs.

In this article you can learn everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient devices are, how they operate, the benefits of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Calhoun Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using decreased energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are designed to give equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less energy usage result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable devices.

These ratings can be a handy first point of call when deciding if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances

Some examples of electricity efficient appliances include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Electricity saving devices work by applying the best current technology to minimize energy consumption. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Goods

Switching to energy conserving devices makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it needs . Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices might have a more expensive up-front cost they will inevitably save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our abuse of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With energy costs constantly going up and natural resources continually depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Actually Save Money?

Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and therefore your utility bills.

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

The older the device you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the device uses to run the greater the potential savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you use your appliances efficiency functions to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will help you make the best decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t all about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the use of fossil fuels that can be correlated to air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for people to opt-for more sustainable household appliances.

Rated products must meet both power performance and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the star mark, appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the symbol. Therefore although making sure you see the star is a great place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Electricity efficient appliances really do make a impact at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

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

You’ll also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Paying for one full size fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one at certain times of the year
When purchasing a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine twice is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you require for your home.

Devices reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.