Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances look very similar from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and consequently running expenditure.

Here you can learn all you need to know about low energy devices. Learn more about what energy efficient devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Prime Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using decreased energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a filament bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient household appliances are created to provide the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less energy than standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are compared to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a good starting point when figuring out if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Appliances

Some examples of energy efficient appliances include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Low energy household appliances work by applying the best current techniques to make sure they use as little electric as possible. That might mean better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Appliances

Choosing electricity saving household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient appliances may have a higher up-front cost they will usually save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our exploitation of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With resource prices consistently increasing and natural resources constantly being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Genuinely Save Money?

Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a big reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and future appliances, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e substituting an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a marked impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to make sure you make use of your devices energy saving settings to get the most significant savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t all about cutting costs. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the burning of fossil fuels that are likely to be linked to air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to allow for an readily understandable way for people to choose more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated products must meet both power efficiency and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base design in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient could get the certification. Thus although only looking at products with the rating is a simple place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy appliances really do make a impact on an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to decide between brands and models.

You might also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:

  • Having one large fridge is more efficient than paying for two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
  • When choosing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a smaller machine twice will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the lowest energy boiler will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you should be using for your home.

Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances