Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances look very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you can find out all you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits 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 Yates Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is making use of less energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a filament bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent 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 related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are created to give equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a good place to start when determining if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of electricity saving household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Appliances work

Electricity saving appliances work by utilizing the latest technology to minimize energy consumption. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Efficient Goods

Using energy efficient household appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can experience a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a bigger ticket price they will generally save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our use of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With resource prices continually increasing and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and therefore your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial reduction in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and replacement household appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it requires to run the greater the possible savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a noticeable impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, but 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 appliances energy-efficient settings to get the best reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When comparing new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t only about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the burning of fossil fuels that are likely to be linked to air pollution and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is responding with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for people to decide upon more efficient devices.

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

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy could get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the symbol is a great starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impact on an individual and international level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast makes and styles.

You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

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

Running one large fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only use the second one occasionally
When choosing a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine two times will cost more than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the capacity you need for your home.

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