Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances appear very similar from the outside but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and therefore operating expenditure.

In this article you can find out all you need to know about electricity saving appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, how they operate, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Sterling Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is making use of less energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Low energy appliances are created to provide the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Less power usage result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy first point of call when deciding if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Low Energy Household Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Electricity saving household appliances work by applying the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might look like superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Goods

Using energy conserving devices is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can experience a dramatic saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although more efficient devices may have a more expensive up-front cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With resource costs consistently going up and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Devices Genuinely Cost Less?

Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your power usage and in turn your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future devices, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the possible savings. For example substituting 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 marked difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you use your appliances energy-efficient 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 contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about cutting costs. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of non-renewable resources that are likely to be correlated to air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is replying with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer needs in regards to performance and features.

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

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient would get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the star is a great place to start, it is still worth checking the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy efficient household appliances really do make a difference on an individual and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

When you are in the market for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between makes and designs.

You may also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two little ones. Unless you only use the second one occasionally
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine two times is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the best water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you need for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.