Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and therefore running costs.

In this article you can learn all you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient household appliances are, how they work, 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 Jet City Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of less energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more 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 not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient devices are designed to offer the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are in comparison to other comparable devices.

These ratings can be a good first point of call when determining if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Low Energy Household Appliances Work

Energy efficient devices work by employing the most up to date technology to minimize energy consumption. That might be better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Energy Conserving Goods

Switching to energy conserving household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can see a dramatic saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a higher initial cost they will usually save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With energy costs constantly rising and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Actually Save Money?

Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and therefore your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a big reduction in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future devices, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy it requires to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, will make a notable impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s 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.

You also have to ensure you use your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of oil and gas that appear to be linked to air quality degradation and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to allow for an readily understandable way for buyers to decide upon more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the rating, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their category.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 10% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient would get the rating. Therefore although making sure you see the rating is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?

Electricity saving devices really do make a difference at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare makes and models.

You might also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one big fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
When choosing a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine twice will cost more than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will never save you money if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.

Devices reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.