Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently running expenditure.

Here you can understand all you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Renew Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing a traditional light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are created to offer equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced energy usage result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a good place to start when figuring out if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some different types of energy efficient household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Low energy devices work by applying the best current technology to maximize efficiency. That might mean better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Devices

Using electricity efficient devices makes sense for many reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it requires to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a more expensive ticket price they will usually save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our exploitation of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future generations.
  4. Resource Security. With energy prices constantly going up and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Really Reduce Bills?

Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a big fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and replacement appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance 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 substituting an broken, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much less.

You also have to ensure you use your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the greatest savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Devices Help the Environment

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

The things we do have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of non-renewable resources that have been correlated to air pollution and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is replying with more environmentally friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to provide an quickly recognizable way for buyers to choose more efficient appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to quality and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the rating, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base product in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient might get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a simple place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for You?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

Next time you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to decide between makes and designs.

You may also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.

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

  • Having one large fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only use the spare one during the holidays
  • When buying a new washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than using a bigger machine for a single run.
  • Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the size you need for your home.

Devices use more energy as they age so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances