Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating expenditure.

Here you will discover everything you need to know about low energy appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving devices are, how they work, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Wells Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is employing less energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient household appliances are created to provide the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower power usage result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are compared to other similar devices.

These ratings can be a good first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Low Energy Household Appliances

Some examples of energy conserving devices include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washers
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Appliances work

Energy conserving household appliances work by employing the most up to date techniques to ensure they use as little electric as possible. That might look like better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Goods

Choosing low energy appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can see a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although lower energy household appliances may have a higher up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
  4. Energy Security. With resource costs constantly rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient devices makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Appliances Really Save Money?

Electricity saving household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement devices, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it needs to run the bigger the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your home, could make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s 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 sure you make use of your appliances energy saving functions 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 ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have big effects on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of oil and gas that can be responsible for air quality degradation and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was started in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.

Certified appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer needs in regards to quality and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the star mark, devices are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their grouping.

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

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

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

When you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to contrast makes and styles.

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

Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:

  • Running one bigger fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
  • When buying a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine two times uses more energy than using a bigger machine once.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will not save you money if it’s three times the spec you should be using for your home.

Household appliances use more energy as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances