Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances look very similar from the outside but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and consequently operating costs.

Here you will learn all you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity saving appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact World Class Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a filament bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are designed to offer equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

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

These simple labels can be a great starting point when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Household Appliances

Some examples of low energy appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Low energy devices work by employing the latest techniques to ensure they waste as little electric as they can. That might be better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Saving Devices

Using low energy household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less power it uses to complete its purpose. Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although energy-efficient appliances may have a higher up-front cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future generations.
  4. Fuel Security. With energy costs continually increasing and natural resources continually being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Low Energy Devices Genuinely Save Money?

Low energy household appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and future household appliances, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device uses to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e substituting an worn out, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable difference whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to make certain you use your devices efficiency settings to get the most significant 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 upfront price and the usage costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet

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

Human actions have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of fossil fuels that have been correlated to air quality degradation and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to allow for an quickly recognizable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Rated products must meet both energy performance and consumer requirements in regards to performance and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base model in their grouping.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient would get the rating. Therefore although looking out for the symbol 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 Right for Your Home?

Low energy household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast brands and models.

You’ll also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Having one big fridge is more efficient than having two smaller ones. Unless you only use the extra one occasionally
  • When buying a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine twice is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
  • Even the lowest energy boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances

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