Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating costs.

In this article you can find out everything you need to know about low energy devices. Learn more about what energy electricity saving devices are, how they work, the advantages of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Precise Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient appliances are designed to give the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Less power usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less energy than lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are compared to other equal capacity appliances.

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

Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances

Some examples of low energy household appliances include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Energy conserving devices work by taking advantage of the most up to date technology to maximize efficiency. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Low Energy Devices

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

Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less resources it needs to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can gain a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a bigger ticket price they will generally save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our use of fossil fuels also preserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With energy costs constantly going up and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a substantial difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future household appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are changing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the more significant the likely savings. For example replacing an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a much less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you make use of your household appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will help you make the best decision for you.

How Electricity Efficient Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t all about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have big effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of non-renewable resources that appear to be correlated to air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more environmentally friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to allow for an readily recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the rating, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard model in their category.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient would get the symbol. Therefore although only looking at products with the star is a simple first step, it is still worth checking the actual figures before making your final choice.

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

Electricity efficient household appliances really do make a impression at a local and international level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and styles.

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

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

Having one full size fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only turn on the second one during the holidays
When choosing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than running a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the lowest energy water heater will not save you money if it’s three times the capacity you need 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 contribute most to your overall energy usage.