Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances appear very similar from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and as a result operating expenditure.

In this article you will learn all you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Bell Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using less energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a traditional bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Low energy appliances are created to offer the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Less electricity requirements result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are compared to other equal capacity household appliances.

These simple labels can be a great first point of call when determining if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances

Some examples of energy efficient household appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Energy efficient household appliances work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might be better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Appliances

Choosing energy conserving devices is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances might have a more expensive ticket price they will generally save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With fuel costs continually rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing less energy intensive devices makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Conserving Household Appliances Really Cost Less?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and in turn your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement household appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy it needs to run the greater the likely savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, will make a notable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much less.

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

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

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Environment

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

The things we do have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the burning of fossil fuels that can be responsible for air quality decline and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Appliances?

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

Rated products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, devices are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that is 10% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient would get the symbol. So although looking out for the rating is a great starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy efficient appliances really do make a impact on an individual and international level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to compare 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 large fridge requires less energy than having two little ones. Unless you only use the second one during the holidays
When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine two times is less efficient than using a bigger machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.

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