Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices look very similar on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result running costs.

In this article you can find out all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy efficient household appliances are, how they work, the advantages of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Palmdale Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving household appliances are made to give the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Lower energy usage result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a good first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Low Energy Appliances

Some examples of low energy household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washers
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Electricity efficient appliances work by employing the latest technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might look like superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Devices

Using energy conserving appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less energy it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can experience a dramatic saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient devices might have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
  4. Fuel Security. With fuel prices constantly rising and natural resources continually being used up choosing more efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Really Cost Less?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement devices, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the potential savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, will make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you use your appliances efficiency settings to get the most significant reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the consumption of non-renewable resources that have been responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for consumers to choose more sustainable devices.

Certified appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to gain the rating, devices are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 15% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient would get the rating. So although looking out for the rating is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a impression on an individual and national level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

If you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to decide between makes and styles.

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

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

  • Having one big fridge requires less energy than having two little ones. Unless you only use the spare one during the holidays
  • When choosing a new washing machine think about the load size as running a space saving machine two times is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
  • Even the best water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances

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