Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices look very comparable externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result running costs.

In this article you can find out all you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, how they work, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Pace Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient devices are created to provide the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower power usage result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.

Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy place to start when figuring out if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances

Some examples of electricity efficient appliances include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Electricity saving appliances work by applying the latest techniques to ensure they use as little energy as possible. That might be better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Efficient Appliances

Switching to low energy devices makes sense for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it uses . Meaning you can see a big saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although lower energy devices may have a higher ticket price they will generally save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our exploitation of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future generations.
Resource Security. With energy costs consistently going up and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Really Save Money?

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

The amount you save and whether or not you see a big fall in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and new household appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the appliance uses to run the bigger the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a much smaller impact.

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

You also have to ensure you make use of your devices energy saving functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

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

How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have massive effects on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the use of oil and gas that can be correlated to air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to allow for an quickly recognizable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly household appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power performance and consumer expectations in regards to quality and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 12% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient would get the rating. So although making sure you see the star is a good starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity efficient devices really do make a difference at an individual and national level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. It shows the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to decide between makes and designs.

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

Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Running one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two little ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one during the holidays
When choosing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will never save you money if it’s three times the size you need for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.