Many appliances appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and therefore running expenditure.
Here you will find out everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Ace Alhambra Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a standard light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Electricity saving devices are made to offer the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Less energy requirements result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.
Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are compared to other similar devices.
These ratings can be a handy first point of call when deciding if a device is low energy or not.
Types of Low Energy Household Appliances
Some different types of energy efficient appliances include:
- Refrigerators
- Air Conditioners
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances work
Low energy household appliances work by utilizing the best current techniques to make sure they waste as little electric as they can. That might look like better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Goods
Switching to electricity efficient household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:
- Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less resources it requires to complete its task. Meaning you can gain a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient appliances are likely to have a more expensive up-front cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our use of fossil fuels also conserves them for future generations.
- Energy Security. With resource costs constantly going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Energy Efficient Household Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?
Energy efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your utility bills.
The amount 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 new devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device uses to run the greater the potential savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, will make a notable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much smaller impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the money you save will be much less.
You also have to make sure you understand your appliances efficiency 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 examining new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.
How Energy Efficient Household Appliances Help the Planet
Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.
Human actions have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of oil and gas that are likely to be linked to air quality degradation and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for buyers to opt-for more sustainable appliances.
Certified appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to gain the star mark, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their grouping.
However, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 15% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient might get the certification. Thus although looking out for the star is a good first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before making your final choice.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Energy conserving devices really do make a impression at a local and international level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.
If you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast makes and models.
You’ll also want to check how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Running one big fridge requires less energy than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only need the spare one at certain times of the year
- When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a smaller machine two times is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the lowest energy boiler will not save you money if it’s three times the capacity you require for your home.
Devices use more energy as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.