Many household appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating costs.
In this article you can discover all you need to know about energy efficient devices. Learn more about what energy energy conserving appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Rapid Richmond Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing a filament bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by requiring a different result. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Electricity saving devices are engineered to give the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many devices currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity household appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.
Types of Low Energy Devices
Some examples of electricity saving devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Air Purifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Saving Appliances work
Electricity saving household appliances work by taking advantage of the best current technology to minimize energy consumption. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.
Reasons to Choose Low Energy Devices
Switching to electricity efficient household appliances makes sense for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less power it uses to complete its task. Meaning you can gain a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices may have a bigger initial cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our abuse of fossil fuels also keeps them for future generations.
- Fuel Security. With fuel costs constantly rising and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Low Energy Household Appliances Actually Save Money?
Low energy devices save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your electricity bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and new devices, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.
The older the good you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it uses to run the greater the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your space, will make a notable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a significantly 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 significant.
You also have to make certain you understand your devices efficiency functions to get the most significant savings. 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 ticket price and the running costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.
How Energy Conserving Household Appliances Help the Planet
Energy efficiency isn’t all about cutting costs. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.
Our actions have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of fossil fuels that can be linked to air pollution and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for buyers to opt-for more sustainable appliances.
Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the certification. Thus although making sure you see the star is a simple first step, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?
Energy efficient household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and international level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.
When you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to decide between makes 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 appliances. For example:
- Having one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two small ones. Unless you only use the second one occasionally
- When buying a new washing machine think about the load size as running a space saving machine multiple times is less efficient than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the capacity you should be using for your home.
Devices reduce in efficiency as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.