Most household appliances look very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and as a result running expenditure.
In this article you can discover everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy efficient household appliances are, how they work, the benefits of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Hesperia Appliance Repair Brothers.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is employing lower energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which requires using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing 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.
Energy conserving household appliances are created to give the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less energy usage result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.
Many household appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity devices.
These simple labels can be a great starting point when deciding if an appliance is electricity saving or not.
Types of Low Energy Household Appliances
Some examples of electricity saving devices include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Dehumidifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Dishwashers
How Energy Conserving Household Appliances work
Energy efficient appliances work by applying the best current techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might mean better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.
Benefits of Electricity Efficient Goods
Using energy efficient appliances is a good idea for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it needs to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient household appliances may have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our wastefulness of fossil fuels also keeps them for future generations.
- Energy Security. With resource prices consistently increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.
Do Low Energy Household Appliances Genuinely Save Money?
Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your electricity bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you see a big difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and future devices, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.
The older the good you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the likely savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, could make a marked impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much lower.
You also have to make sure you use your household appliances efficiency functions to get the best savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When comparing new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.
How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Environment
Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about saving you money. Reducing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that are likely to be linked to air quality degradation and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?
The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to allow for an easily understandable way for consumers to choose more sustainable appliances.
Rated appliances must meet both power performance and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their grouping.
However, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient could get the certification. Thus although making sure you see the star is a simple first step, it is still worth checking the actual figures before picking the best one for you.
Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Low energy appliances really do make a difference on an individual and national level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.
Next time you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to compare brands and designs.
You’ll also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Paying for one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two little ones. Unless you only use the extra one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than using a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the most efficient water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the size you require for your home.
Devices use more energy as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.