Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances appear very similar from the outside but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and therefore running costs.

In this article you will discover everything you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, how they work, the benefits of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Valor Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using decreased energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are engineered to offer the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Less power requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are in comparison to other equal capacity devices.

These simple labels can be a great place to start when deciding if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving devices include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work

Electricity efficient devices work by employing the latest techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might be better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Goods

Switching to low energy household appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less power it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can gain a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances may have a higher ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our abuse of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With fuel costs consistently rising and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Really Reduce Bills?

Low energy devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and in turn your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and replacement devices, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the device requires to run the greater the likely savings. I.e substituting an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the savings will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you use your devices efficiency functions to get the most significant savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t only about reducing your bills. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the use of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air pollution and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is replying with more environmentally friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an easily understandable way for people to opt-for more sustainable household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer needs in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the star mark, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy could get the certification. So although making sure you see the symbol is a simple first step, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?

Electricity saving household appliances really do make a impact at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to decide between makes and styles.

You might also want to check how much your electricity costs you so you can make better comparisons.

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

Having one full size fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only need the spare one at certain times of the year
When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine twice uses more energy than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the capacity you should be using for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.