Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices look very similar from the outside but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and consequently running expenditure.

In this article you can understand all you need to know about low energy appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy appliances are, how they work, the advantages of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Council Bluffs Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using lower energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Low energy household appliances are made to give equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Less energy usage result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.

Many devices currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to base models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are compared to other comparable devices.

These simple labels can be a good place to start when determining if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some examples of electricity saving household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Air Purifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Appliances work

Electricity efficient appliances work by taking advantage of the latest technology to ensure they waste as little power as they can. That might mean better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Saving Goods

Switching to low energy devices makes sense for many reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less resources it requires to complete its purpose. Meaning you can see a dramatic saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy household appliances might have a higher up-front cost they will usually save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Energy Security. With fuel costs consistently rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Low Energy Devices Really Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and by association your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a substantial reduction in your household bills will depend on the difference between the existing and new appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it needs to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you use your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the greatest savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will help you make the prime decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Minimizing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have massive effects on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that appear to be linked to air quality decline and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. 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 provide an quickly understandable way for people to choose more efficient devices.

Certified products must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy might get the certification. Thus although only looking at products with the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy conserving appliances really do make a impression at a local and international level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and styles.

You’ll also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Running one big fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only need the extra one occasionally
  • When purchasing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s four times the capacity you need for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances