Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you can discover everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Webb Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using decreased energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. For example, choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Low energy appliances are engineered to provide the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less energy usage result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are in comparison to other similar appliances.

These ratings can be a handy starting point when determining if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity saving household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Air Purifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Low energy devices work by applying the most up to date technology to make sure they use as little electric as they can. That might be superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Devices

Choosing energy conserving household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less power it needs . Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances may have a more expensive ticket price they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our abuse of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Energy Security. With energy costs consistently increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Saving Devices Genuinely Cost Less?

Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the existing and future devices, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it requires to run the more significant the potential savings. For example substituting an broken, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could 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 certain you make use of your devices efficiency settings to get the best savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t only about saving you money. Cutting energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have big effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of oil and gas that have been linked to air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to provide an readily detectable way for buyers to opt-for more efficient appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, devices must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their grouping.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient could get the rating. Therefore although only looking at products with the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy efficient household appliances really do make a difference at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are shopping for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to compare brands and styles.

You might also want to make a note of how much your energy costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Running one bigger fridge requires less energy than running two small ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one at certain times of the year
  • When choosing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will not save you money if it’s three times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances 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 use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances