Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices look very similar outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and therefore running costs.

In this article you can understand all you need to know about electricity saving appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient appliances are, what makes them different, 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 Hoboken Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing lower energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a filament light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level 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 adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving household appliances are created to offer the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower energy requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy place to start when figuring out if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Devices

Some different types of low energy appliances include:

  • Fridges
  • Air Purifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washers
  • Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Low energy household appliances work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances

Using electricity efficient appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less energy it needs to complete its task. Meaning you can experience a noticeable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices may have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With resource costs constantly going up and natural resources constantly being used up choosing more efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Efficient Devices Actually Save Money?

Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and in turn your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the device requires to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, will make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is just 10% more efficient will have a much less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to make certain you use your household appliances energy saving functions 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 household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have big impacts on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of oil and gas that have been responsible for air quality degradation and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for buyers to choose more efficient devices.

Certified products must meet both power consumption and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the star mark, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy might get the certification. So although looking out for the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy appliances really do make a impression on an individual and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to decide between brands and designs.

You’ll also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make better comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Having one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two little ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one at certain times of the year
  • When buying a replacement washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a space saving machine twice is less efficient than running a bigger machine once.
  • Even the best water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s three times the spec you require for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances