Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and consequently operating costs.

In this article you will discover everything you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity saving household appliances are, how they operate, 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 Ready Reno Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing lower energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a filament bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient devices are designed to offer equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower energy requirements result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a good first point of call when figuring out if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Appliances

Some examples of energy efficient devices include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Electricity efficient appliances work by applying the best current technology to ensure they waste as little energy as they can. That might look like better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Energy Efficient Goods

Switching to energy conserving devices is a good idea for many reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less energy it needs . Meaning you can see a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices may have a higher ticket price they will generally save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With resource costs consistently rising and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and in turn your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a noticeable fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and future devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it needs to run the greater the possible savings. For example substituting an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, will make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the money you save will be much less.

You also have to make sure you understand your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the best savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

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

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about saving you money. Reducing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have big effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of oil and gas that appear to be responsible for air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to ensure an quickly recognizable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable household appliances.

Rated products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to performance and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the star mark, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard design in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient would get the symbol. Thus although looking out for the star is a good starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy efficient household appliances really do make a difference at an individual and global level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

Next time you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast brands and designs.

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

Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one full size fridge requires less energy than running two small ones. Unless you only use the second one occasionally
When buying a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine multiple times will cost more than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the lowest energy boiler will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you require for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.