Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices appear very similar externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and as a result operating costs.

In this article you will discover all you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Discover what energy electricity saving appliances are, how they work, the advantages of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Patriot Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using decreased energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with a lower energy LED 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 different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving appliances are created to offer equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.

Many household appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are when looked at next to other similar household appliances.

These simple labels can be a good first point of call when figuring out if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of energy efficient appliances include:

Refrigerators
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work

Energy conserving devices work by utilizing the most up to date technology to ensure they waste as little electric as they can. That might look like better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Saving Devices

Using electricity saving appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less power it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can gain a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although more efficient appliances are likely to have a bigger up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With fuel costs constantly rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy conserving appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a big reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance requires to run the more significant the potential savings. For example substituting an worn out, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a much less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much lower.

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

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

How Low Energy Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about saving you money. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have massive impacts on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of non-renewable resources that can be correlated to air quality degradation and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to provide an easily recognizable way for consumers to choose more efficient devices.

Rated appliances must meet both power performance and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the rating, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base product in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy could get the certification. Thus although looking out for the symbol is a simple first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impression at an individual and international level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to decide between makes and styles.

You might also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two little ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one occasionally
When buying a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a smaller machine two times is less efficient than running a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the lowest energy water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you require for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.