Energy Efficient Appliances

Most 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.

In this article you will learn all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy low energy appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Marion Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing a filament light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are engineered to offer equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity usage result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.

Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are compared to other similar appliances.

These ratings can be a great first point of call when determining if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Devices

Some different types of energy conserving appliances include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Electricity efficient appliances work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Appliances

Choosing electricity efficient appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less power it needs . Meaning you can gain a big saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although more efficient appliances are likely to have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With resource costs consistently rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Low Energy Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Energy conserving appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and therefore your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and replacement devices, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the potential savings. For example substituting an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a much less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the savings will be much less.

You also have to make sure you use your appliances energy saving settings to get the greatest reductions. 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 ensure you make the prime decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have big effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of non-renewable resources that appear to be responsible for air quality degradation and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was started in 1992 to ensure an readily understandable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their grouping.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 15% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient would get the symbol. Thus although only looking at products with the star is a good place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?

Energy efficient appliances really do make a impression at an individual and national level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to contrast makes and designs.

You’ll also want to check how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.

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

Paying for one bigger fridge requires less energy than having two smaller ones. Unless you only use the spare one during the holidays
When buying a replacement washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than running a bigger machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you require for your home.

Devices use more energy as they get older so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.