Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating expenditure.

Here you can find out all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Learn more about what energy electricity saving household appliances are, how they work, the advantages of choosing them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Cox Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient household appliances are made to give equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy requirements result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than base models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy first point of call when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some different types of energy conserving devices include:

Refrigerators
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Devices work

Electricity efficient appliances work by employing the most up to date techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Efficient Goods

Using low energy devices makes sense for many reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can see a noticeable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although lower energy appliances might have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With energy prices continually going up and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and in turn your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the old and new devices, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the appliance requires to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.

You also have to make sure you understand your appliances energy saving 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 comparing new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will make sure you make the best decision for you.

How Electricity Efficient Devices Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the consumption of oil and gas that can be correlated to air quality degradation and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions 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 rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was started in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for consumers to opt-for more eco-friendly appliances.

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

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 12% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient might get the rating. So although looking out for the symbol is a simple first step, it is still worth checking the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy efficient devices really do make a difference on an individual and national level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to decide between makes and styles.

You might also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

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

Having one big fridge is more efficient than having two little ones. Unless you only need the extra one occasionally
When buying a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice is less efficient than using a bigger machine once.
Even the best water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.