Many appliances appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and therefore operating expenditure.
In this article you will learn all you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, how they work, the benefits of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Waukegan Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is employing lower energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Low energy appliances are designed to give equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are compared to other similar devices.
These ratings can be a good place to start when figuring out if an appliance is low energy or not.
Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances
Some different types of energy conserving household appliances include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Air Purifiers
- Boilers
- Washers
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work
Low energy household appliances work by employing the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.
Benefits of Low Energy Goods
Using electricity efficient appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices may have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our abuse of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Fuel Security. With resource prices constantly increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Low Energy Household Appliances Really Reduce Bills?
Low energy devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your utility bills.
How much you save and whether or not you see a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement devices, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the appliance requires to run the greater the potential savings. For example substituting an broken, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient will 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, however if it was made in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less.
You also have to make sure you use your household appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When contrasting new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.
How Electricity Efficient Appliances Help the Environment
Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about reducing your bills. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.
Our actions have big impacts on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of fossil fuels that appear to be responsible for air pollution and global warming.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is reacting with more environmentally friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?
The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for consumers to choose more efficient devices.
Rated products must meet both power efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to quality and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard product in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the symbol. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a great first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?
Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impact at an individual and international level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.
When you are looking for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to compare makes and styles.
You may also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Paying for one bigger fridge requires less energy than running two small ones. Unless you only use the extra one occasionally
- When buying a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a smaller machine multiple times uses more energy than using a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the lowest energy boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.
Household appliances use more energy as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.