Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances appear very comparable from the outside but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and consequently running expenditure.

In this article you will learn everything you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of choosing them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact F&S Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by requiring a different result. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are engineered to give the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less power requirements result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable appliances.

These ratings can be a good place to start when deciding if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances work

Energy conserving appliances work by applying the most up to date techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might be superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Appliances

Using electricity efficient devices is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient a device is the less power it requires to undertake its task. Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient appliances might have a bigger initial cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our wastefulness of fossil fuels also keeps them for future generations.
Resource Security. With fuel costs continually increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Household Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

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

The amount you save and whether or not you see a substantial fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and new devices, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are changing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance uses to run the greater the possible savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a marked impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much less.

You also have to make sure you make use of your devices efficiency settings to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about saving you money. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the consumption of non-renewable resources that appear to be linked to air quality degradation and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to provide an readily understandable way for buyers to opt-for more sustainable devices.

Certified products must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base model in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy might get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a great starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy conserving devices really do make a impact at a local and international level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

When you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and designs.

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

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one full size fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one during the holidays
When buying a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice is less efficient than using a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the lowest energy water heater will never save you money if it’s two times the size you require for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the items that use the most energy.