Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and therefore running costs.

In this article you will find out everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Discover what energy energy conserving household appliances are, how they work, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Champion Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using reduced energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to cycle 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 provide the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.

Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are compared to other equal capacity devices.

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

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some examples of energy efficient appliances include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Electricity saving household appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date techniques to make sure they use as little energy as they can. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Low Energy Devices

Switching to energy efficient devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less energy it needs to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can experience a dramatic saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices might have a higher ticket price they will generally save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Resource Security. With energy prices consistently going up and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Actually Save Money?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a substantial reduction in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and new appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the potential savings. For example substituting an old, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your space, will make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much less.

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

When examining new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about reducing your bills. 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 atmosphere through the consumption of oil and gas that can be correlated to air quality degradation and global warming.

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 requirements. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to ensure an readily recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more eco-friendly appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to have the rating, devices are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base product in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy could get the rating. So although making sure you see the rating is a simple starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for You?

Low energy appliances really do make a difference at a local and global level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

Next time you are looking for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to compare brands and styles.

You may also want to check how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

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

Paying for one large fridge requires less energy than having two smaller ones. Unless you only need the spare one at certain times of the year
When purchasing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a smaller machine twice uses more energy than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.