Many household appliances appear very similar outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating costs.
Here you can find out everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Learn more about what energy electricity saving appliances are, how they operate, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Instant Livonia Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is making use of reduced energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Energy conserving devices are designed to offer the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Less energy usage result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable devices.
These ratings can be a great first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.
Types of Energy Conserving Devices
Some examples of energy efficient appliances include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Saving Devices work
Energy efficient household appliances work by applying the most up to date techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Goods
Switching to energy conserving devices makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can gain a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances might have a more expensive up-front cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our abuse of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Energy Security. With energy prices continually going up and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Actually Cost Less?
Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your energy bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and new devices, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the good you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the appliance needs to run the more significant the potential savings. For example replacing an old, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your home, will make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a much smaller impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.
You also have to make certain you make use of your devices energy saving functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When examining new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will help you make the best choice for you.
How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Planet
Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about reducing your bills. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
The things we do have irreversible impacts on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the use of oil and gas that appear to be linked to air quality decline and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to allow for an quickly detectable way for buyers to opt-for more sustainable appliances.
Rated products must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to gain the rating, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their category.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy could get the rating. Therefore although making sure you see the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?
Low energy devices really do make a impression on an individual and international level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.
If you are in the market for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to compare makes and designs.
You’ll also want to make a note of how much your energy costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Paying for one large fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a space saving machine twice uses more energy than using a bigger machine once.
- Even the most efficient boiler will not save you money if it’s four times the capacity you require for your home.
Appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.