The majority of appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating costs.
Here you will discover everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy efficient devices are, what makes them different, 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 Accurate Gilbert Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which involves employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. 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.
Low energy household appliances are engineered to offer equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower power requirements result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are in comparison to other similar household appliances.
These simple labels can be a good first point of call when deciding if a device is low energy or not.
Types of Low Energy Household Appliances
Some examples of energy conserving devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washers
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Efficient Appliances work
Energy efficient devices work by taking advantage of the best current technology to minimize energy consumption. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.
Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Devices
Choosing low energy household appliances makes sense for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although lower energy appliances may have a bigger up-front cost they will inevitably save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Energy Security. With resource costs constantly rising and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Electricity Efficient Devices Really Cost Less?
Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and therefore your electricity bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and future appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device uses to run the greater the potential savings. For example substituting an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, could make a noticeable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a much smaller impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much lower.
You also have to ensure you make use of your devices energy saving functions to get the best savings. 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 ongoing costs will make sure you make the top decision for you.
How Electricity Efficient Devices Help the Planet
Saving energy isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have big impacts on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of oil and gas that appear to be correlated to air quality decline and global warming.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is replying with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to ensure an quickly recognizable way for people to opt-for more efficient household appliances.
Certified products must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and attributes.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to have the rating, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their class.
However, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy would get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the star is a good starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Electricity efficient household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.
Next time you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to decide between brands and designs.
You’ll also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Paying for one full size fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only need the second one at certain times of the year
- When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a smaller machine two times is less efficient than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will never save you money if it’s two times the size you require for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that use the most energy.