Many appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating costs.
In this article you will understand all you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, how they operate, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Rapid Rockford Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is using decreased energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a traditional light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Electricity efficient devices are designed to offer equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.
Many household appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less energy than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are in comparison to other equal capacity appliances.
These ratings can be a handy place to start when figuring out if an appliance is energy efficient or not.
Types of Energy Conserving Devices
Some examples of electricity efficient household appliances include:
- Fridges
- Air Conditioners
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work
Electricity efficient household appliances work by applying the most up to date techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might look like superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Appliances
Switching to energy efficient appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less power it uses . Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a bigger ticket price they will usually save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of natural resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Energy Security. With energy prices constantly rising and natural resources continually being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Energy Efficient Devices Actually Reduce Bills?
Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your electricity usage and in turn your utility bills.
How much you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.
The older the device you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the greater the possible savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.
You also have to make certain you use your household appliances energy saving settings 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 devices factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.
How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Environment
Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have big impacts on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the consumption of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air quality degradation and global warming.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?
The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for consumers to choose more eco-friendly devices.
Rated appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to have the rating, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their category.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the certification. Therefore although making sure you see the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?
Electricity saving household appliances really do make a difference on an individual and global level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.
Next time you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare brands and styles.
You may also want to check how much your electricity costs you so you can make better comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Having one big fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than running a higher capacity machine once.
- Even the best water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s three times the size you require for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.