Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances look very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating costs.

Here you can understand everything you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy efficient devices are, how they operate, 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 Spencer Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving appliances are designed to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are in comparison to other similar devices.

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

Types of Low Energy Appliances

Some different types of energy efficient household appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Devices work

Energy efficient devices work by taking advantage of the best current technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Energy Conserving Goods

Using energy conserving devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can gain a sizable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances may have a bigger ticket price they will generally save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With fuel costs constantly rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing less energy intensive devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Household Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

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

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, the amount they get used 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 device requires to run the bigger the possible savings. I.e replacing an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a much smaller impact.

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

You also have to make sure you use your household appliances efficiency settings 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 examining new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will help you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

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

The things we do have massive effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of non-renewable resources that are likely to be correlated to air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for consumers to opt-for more eco-friendly household appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the symbol. So although looking out for the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy efficient appliances really do make a impression on an individual and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

When you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to contrast makes and styles.

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

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

Running one big fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only use the second one at certain times of the year
When buying a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine two times will cost more than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the best boiler will not save you money if it’s two times the size you require for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.