Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances appear very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and therefore running costs.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Onward Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are made to give the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower energy usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a great starting point when determining if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Devices

Some different types of electricity efficient devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Appliances work

Low energy devices work by utilizing the most up to date techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Electricity Efficient Devices

Using low energy household appliances makes sense for many reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices might have a bigger up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our wastefulness of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy prices constantly increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Appliances Really Cost Less?

Energy efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it requires to run the more significant the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, could make a noticeable impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in the last 10 years the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you understand your appliances energy-efficient settings to get the most significant reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When comparing new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about cutting costs. Cutting energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of non-renewable resources that have been correlated to air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to allow for an easily detectable way for people to choose more efficient household appliances.

Rated products must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base design in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 22% less energy would get the certification. Thus although looking out for the rating is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a impression at a local and national 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 shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to decide between brands and styles.

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

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

Having one bigger fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one during the holidays
When purchasing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a smaller machine twice will cost more than using a bigger machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you need for your home.

Devices use more energy as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.