Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and therefore running costs.

Here you can discover all you need to know about electricity saving household appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient appliances are, how they work, the benefits of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Palmer Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Low energy household appliances are made to offer the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less electricity requirements result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These ratings can be a good starting point when deciding if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some examples of low energy devices include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Energy efficient household appliances work by utilizing the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Goods

Switching to electricity saving household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it needs . Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices might have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our abuse of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy costs constantly going up and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Low Energy Devices Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a substantial difference in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new household appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the appliance needs to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your home, will make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.

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

When examining new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t only about reducing your bills. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of oil and gas that have been correlated to air quality decline and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?

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

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

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the rating, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their grouping.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 12% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the certification. Thus although only looking at products with the star is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity saving household appliances really do make a impact on an individual and global level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to decide between makes and models.

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

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only turn on the extra 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 twice is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the best water heater will never save you money if it’s three times the spec you require for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they get older so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that use the most energy.