The majority of household appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and therefore operating costs.
Here you can understand all you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Elite Bloomington Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your home so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.
Electricity efficient devices are created to offer the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Less power usage result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Many appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are compared to other similar appliances.
These ratings can be a great place to start when deciding if a device is low energy or not.
Types of Electricity Efficient Devices
Some examples of energy conserving appliances include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Dehumidifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Energy Efficient Appliances work
Energy efficient devices work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.
Advantages of Electricity Saving Goods
Choosing energy conserving appliances makes sense for many reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it uses to complete its task. Meaning you can experience a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices may have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Resource Security. With resource prices consistently increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Energy Efficient Appliances Actually Cost Less?
Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and by association your electricity bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement devices, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy it uses to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.
You also have to ensure you understand your devices energy saving settings to get the best reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When examining new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the prime decision for you.
How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Planet
Energy efficiency isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.
The things we do have irreversible effects on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of fossil fuels that have been linked to air pollution and climate change.
As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?
The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to ensure an easily detectable way for buyers to decide upon more efficient devices.
Certified products must meet both power efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and features.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard design in their category.
However, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient could get the rating. Therefore although only looking at products with the rating is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?
Energy efficient devices really do make a impact at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.
If you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to contrast makes and models.
You’ll also want to make a note of how much your energy costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Having one large fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one during the holidays
- When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a lower capacity machine multiple times is less efficient than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the best boiler will not save you money if it’s two times the capacity you should be using for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.