Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating costs.

Here you can learn everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient household appliances are, how they work, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Storm Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a standard bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg 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.

Energy conserving household appliances are created to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced power requirements result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.

Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable devices.

These ratings can be a great place to start when deciding if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances

Some examples of electricity efficient appliances include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Devices work

Energy efficient appliances work by utilizing the most up to date techniques to make sure they use as little electric as possible. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Goods

Choosing energy conserving household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less power it uses to undertake its task. Meaning you can experience a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient appliances are likely to have a higher ticket price they will generally save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our use of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With resource prices continually increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement devices, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it needs to run the more significant the potential savings. For example substituting an old, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, will make a notable impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to ensure you make use of your devices energy-efficient functions to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the environment, 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 correlated to air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is responding with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for buyers to choose more eco-friendly devices.

Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, household appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy would get the symbol. Therefore although making sure you see the star is a simple first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity saving household appliances really do make a impression at a local and national level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

When you are shopping for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it simpler to compare makes and styles.

You may also want to check how much your electricity costs you so you can make better comparisons.

Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Running one big fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only need the spare one during the holidays
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine two times is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you should be using for your home.

Devices use more energy as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.