Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices look very similar on the face of it but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result running expenditure.

In this article you will find out everything you need to know about low energy devices. Discover what energy energy conserving appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Dunn Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of reduced energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a filament light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient appliances are designed to offer equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy requirements result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are in comparison to other similar devices.

These ratings can be a good starting point when deciding if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Low Energy Appliances

Some different types of electricity saving devices include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Low energy household appliances work by utilizing the best current techniques to ensure they use as little energy as possible. That might be better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Goods

Switching to electricity efficient household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can experience a noticeable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices might have a more expensive initial cost they will inevitably save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our abuse of fossil fuels also conserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With fuel costs continually rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement household appliances, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the potential savings. I.e substituting an old, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a much less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you understand your devices energy-efficient settings 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 appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will make sure you make the top decision for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about cutting costs. Minimizing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the consumption of oil and gas that can be linked to air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to allow for an easily recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more efficient devices.

Rated appliances must meet both power performance and consumer requirements in regards to quality and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the star mark, devices are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base 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 is 15% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy might get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the rating is a great starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy efficient appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

Next time you are in the market for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it simpler to contrast makes and styles.

You’ll also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Paying for one big fridge is more efficient than having two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one at certain times of the year
When buying a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine two times will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will not save you money if it’s three times the capacity you require for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that use the most energy.