Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances appear very similar externally but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating costs.

Here you will find out all you need to know about low energy household appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of choosing them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Mayes Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using less energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are engineered to give equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower energy usage result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are in comparison to other similar household appliances.

These ratings can be a handy place to start when deciding if a device is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Devices

Some examples of energy conserving devices include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Appliances work

Electricity saving appliances work by applying the most up to date technology to minimize energy consumption. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Devices

Switching to energy efficient devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less resources it uses to complete its purpose. Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances may have a more expensive initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our abuse of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With resource prices constantly rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Genuinely Save Money?

Low energy household appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and therefore your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and new household appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the device needs to run the bigger the potential savings. For example replacing an worn out, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a noticeable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you understand your appliances energy saving settings to get the best savings. 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 purchase price and the running costs will ensure you make the prime choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t all about saving you money. Minimizing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have big effects on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of oil and gas that appear to be responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.

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

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to have the star mark, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient might get the symbol. Thus although making sure you see the rating is a good place to start, it is still worth checking the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impact on an individual and global level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to compare makes and designs.

You’ll also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Paying for one full size fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a smaller machine multiple times is less efficient than running a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.