Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently running costs.

In this article you can discover everything you need to know about low energy devices. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, how they operate, the advantages of using them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Rowe Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using less energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are created to give equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower energy requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than base models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are in comparison to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a great starting point when deciding if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of low energy household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Electricity saving appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Electricity Saving Goods

Switching to energy efficient household appliances makes sense for many reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient household appliances may have a higher up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our homes 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.
Fuel Security. With fuel costs continually rising and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Really Cost Less?

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

The amount you save and whether or not you see a substantial difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement devices, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the more significant the potential savings. For example substituting an broken, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you make use of your appliances energy saving functions 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 contrasting new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of oil and gas that are likely to be responsible for air quality decline and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to provide an easily detectable way for people to choose more sustainable appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base design in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy could get the rating. So although making sure you see the rating is a good first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy efficient devices really do make a difference on an individual and international level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

If you are looking for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast makes and models.

You might also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Running one big fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only need the second one during the holidays
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine twice uses more energy than running a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will not save you money if it’s four times the capacity you need for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.