Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very similar outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and as a result running costs.

In this article you can find out everything you need to know about low energy devices. Discover what energy electricity efficient appliances are, how they work, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Lee Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of decreased energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a filament bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which requires using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient devices are created to give equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Less energy usage result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are compared to other comparable devices.

These ratings can be a good place to start when deciding if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving appliances include:

Refrigerators
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Devices work

Electricity efficient household appliances work by employing the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might be better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Conserving Appliances

Switching to electricity efficient household appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less resources it requires . Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although lower energy devices might have a more expensive initial cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our use of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Resource Security. With fuel prices constantly increasing and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Efficient Devices Really Reduce Bills?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and new household appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device requires to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much smaller impact.

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

You also have to make sure you understand your appliances energy saving functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

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

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t all about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that can be linked to air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is responding with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to gain the rating, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their grouping.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy would get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the star is a good place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy efficient devices really do make a impact at a local and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to decide between makes and styles.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one big fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one occasionally
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a smaller machine multiple times will cost more than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient water heater will not save you money if it’s four times the capacity you should be using for your home.

Devices reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that use the most energy.