Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and therefore operating expenditure.

In this article you will find out everything you need to know about low energy devices. Learn more about what energy electricity saving appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Hub City Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient devices are designed to give the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These ratings can be a handy first point of call when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some examples of low energy devices include:

Refrigerators
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Energy conserving appliances work by applying the best current technology to make sure they waste as little electric as possible. That might look like better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Energy Efficient Devices

Choosing electricity saving household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical a device is the less energy it uses to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can gain a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices might have a more expensive up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Energy Security. With fuel costs constantly rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Actually Save Money?

Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and new household appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it requires to run the greater the potential savings. For example substituting an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you understand your appliances efficiency 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 contrasting new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will help you make the top decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

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

Our actions have big impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels that have been correlated to air quality decline and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was started in 1992 to provide an readily detectable way for people to decide upon more eco-friendly devices.

Rated products must meet both power performance and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the star mark, household appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 15% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient might get the symbol. Thus although making sure you see the star is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity efficient appliances really do make a impact at a local and international level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

When you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between brands and models.

You’ll also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Paying for one big fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only need the spare one occasionally
When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine two times uses more energy than using a bigger machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s two times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age 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.