Many household appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and therefore operating expenditure.
In this article you will understand everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Learn more about what energy low energy appliances are, how they work, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Shine Sunrise Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is employing lower energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a filament bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Electricity efficient appliances are created to offer the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower energy requirements result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are in comparison to other similar appliances.
These ratings can be a handy place to start when deciding if a device is electricity efficient or not.
Types of Electricity Saving Devices
Some examples of electricity efficient household appliances include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Air Purifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washers
- Tumble Dryers
How Energy Conserving Devices work
Energy conserving household appliances work by applying the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.
Advantages of Energy Conserving Appliances
Switching to energy conserving devices makes sense for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can see a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient appliances may have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future generations.
- Fuel Security. With energy prices constantly rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Energy Efficient Household Appliances Really Reduce Bills?
Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your utility bills.
How much you save and whether or not you see a big reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and future devices, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.
The older the good you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it needs to run the more significant the possible savings. For example replacing an broken, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your space, will make a marked impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly less noticeable impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.
You also have to make sure you use your devices efficiency 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 comparing new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the prime choice for you.
How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment
Energy efficiency isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the burning of non-renewable resources that can be correlated to air quality decline and global warming.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is replying with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR marked Devices?
The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient household appliances.
Rated appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their category.
However, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient might get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?
Low energy devices really do make a impact at an individual and national level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.
Next time you are in the market for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and styles.
You might also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Having one bigger fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only need the extra one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine twice is less efficient than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the most efficient water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s three times the capacity you should be using for your home.
Devices reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.