Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances appear very comparable externally but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and therefore operating expenditure.

Here you can understand everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Discover what energy efficient devices are, what makes them different, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Moore Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing lower energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a traditional bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. 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.

Low energy devices are designed to offer equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced energy usage result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These ratings can be a good place to start when figuring out if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some different types of electricity efficient devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Energy conserving household appliances work by employing the best current techniques to ensure they waste as little electric as possible. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Appliances

Choosing electricity efficient appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less power it uses to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances may have a higher initial cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Energy Security. With energy prices constantly increasing and natural resources constantly being used up choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Genuinely Cost Less?

Low energy devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and in turn your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and new devices, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it requires to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a marked difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to ensure you make use of your appliances energy saving functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t only about saving you money. Reducing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of oil and gas that appear to be linked to air quality decline and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both power performance and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to have the star mark, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient could get the symbol. So although looking out for the star is a simple place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy efficient appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and models.

You might also want to make a note of how much your energy costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Running one large fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only use the extra one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine multiple times will cost more than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the best water heater will never save you money if it’s two times the size you need for your home.

Household appliances use more energy as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.