Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result running expenditure.

Here you can discover all you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving appliances are, how they work, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Finch Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving household appliances are designed to offer equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Lower electricity requirements result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.

Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable household appliances.

These ratings can be a great starting point when figuring out if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving household appliances include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Low energy appliances work by applying the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Efficient Goods

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

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can experience a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although lower energy household appliances might have a bigger ticket price they will usually save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Resource Security. With fuel prices continually going up and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Electricity saving household appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a substantial reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and replacement 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. Likewise the more energy the appliance needs to run the bigger the likely savings. For example replacing an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a much smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you make use of your devices efficiency settings 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 examining new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about reducing your bills. Reducing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have big effects on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of non-renewable resources that are likely to be linked to air quality degradation and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was started in 1992 to allow for an readily recognizable way for consumers to choose more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated products must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy would get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the rating is a good first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy efficient appliances really do make a impression at a local and international level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

If you are shopping for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to decide between brands and designs.

You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Paying for one full size fridge requires less energy than paying for two little ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
When buying a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine two times will cost more 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 need for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.