Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances appear very similar outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.

In this article you can understand everything you need to know about low energy devices. Discover what energy energy conserving 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 Martin Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing less energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a filament bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving household appliances are engineered to give the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Less energy usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are compared to other equal capacity devices.

These simple labels can be a handy place to start when deciding if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances

Some different types of low energy household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Low energy devices work by applying the best current techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Appliances

Choosing low energy appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices are likely to have a more expensive up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our abuse of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With fuel prices consistently rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Devices Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Low energy devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable fall in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and future appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it requires to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e substituting an broken, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your home, will make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the money you save will be much less.

You also have to make sure you use your household appliances energy-efficient settings to get the greatest reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When comparing new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will help you make the best decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about saving you money. Reducing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have big effects on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the use of non-renewable resources that can be linked to air quality decline and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to ensure an readily understandable way for people to decide upon more sustainable devices.

Rated appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to quality and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to have the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 15% less energy and one that uses 22% less energy could get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a great place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Low energy appliances really do make a impression on an individual and national level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to compare brands and models.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than paying for two little ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
  • When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine two times uses more energy than running a higher capacity machine once.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you need for your home.

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 items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances