Many household appliances look very similar outwardly but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and therefore operating costs.
In this article you will discover all you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Sparks Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is employing lower energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy conserving devices are created to give the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less electricity usage result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are when looked at next to other similar appliances.
These ratings can be a good place to start when determining if an appliance is low energy or not.
Types of Low Energy Household Appliances
Some different types of energy conserving appliances include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Dehumidifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Saving Devices work
Electricity saving devices work by taking advantage of the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Goods
Switching to electricity efficient household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less power it needs to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although lower energy household appliances are likely to have a more expensive up-front cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Energy Security. With fuel prices constantly going up and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient devices is a more sustainable option.
Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?
Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your utility bills.
How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial difference in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and new household appliances, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy it needs to run the greater the potential savings. I.e substituting an old, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a marked difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly less noticeable impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.
You also have to make sure you understand your devices energy-efficient functions to get the greatest savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will help you make the prime choice for you.
How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet
Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about saving you money. Reducing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.
Our actions have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of fossil fuels that can be correlated to air pollution and global warming.
As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more environmentally friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?
The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to provide an easily understandable way for buyers to decide upon more eco-friendly appliances.
Rated products must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to gain the rating, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard design in their grouping.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy would get the certification. So although only looking at products with the rating is a great first step, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?
Energy conserving devices really do make a impact on an individual and global level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.
Next time you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to decide between makes and designs.
You may also want to know 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:
- Having one big fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only use the extra one during the holidays
- When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine twice is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine once.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.
Appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the items that use the most energy.