Energy Efficient Appliances
Most appliances look very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating expenditure.
In this article you can learn everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient devices are, how they work, 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 United Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is using decreased energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof 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 adjusting behaviours or habits. 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 appliances are made to give equivalent results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less electricity usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less electricity than standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are when looked at next to other equal capacity household appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy place to start when deciding if a device is electricity efficient or not.
Types of Low Energy Appliances
Some examples of low energy household appliances include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washers
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Efficient Appliances work
Low energy devices work by employing the best current techniques to ensure they use as little power as possible. That might be superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.
Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Appliances
Using electricity saving appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more economical a device is the less energy it needs . Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a bigger initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our exploitation of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Resource Security. With fuel prices constantly rising and natural resources continually being used up choosing less energy intensive devices makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Energy Conserving Household Appliances Really Save Money?
Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your utility bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a big reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.
The older the device you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device uses to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less significant.
You also have to make sure you use your devices energy saving functions to get the greatest savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will help you make the prime decision for you.
How Electricity Efficient Appliances Help the Planet
Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about reducing your bills. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
The things we do have big impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of fossil fuels that can be responsible for air quality decline and climate change.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable household appliances.
Rated appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and attributes.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to have the rating, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their category.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 15% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient would get the rating. So although making sure you see the symbol is a great starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.
Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?
Low energy appliances really do make a impact at an individual and international level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.
Next time you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to decide between brands and styles.
You might also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Paying for one big fridge is more efficient than paying for two little ones. Unless you only turn on the second one occasionally
- When purchasing a new washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s three times the size you require for your home.
Household appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.
Additional Types of Appliances
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