Most appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating expenditure.
Here you will find out all you need to know about energy efficient devices. Discover what energy efficient appliances are, how they work, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Santa Maria Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Low energy household appliances are made to give the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy requirements result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.
Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are compared to other equal capacity appliances.
These simple labels can be a good starting point when figuring out if an appliance is energy conserving or not.
Types of Energy Efficient Appliances
Some examples of energy efficient devices include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Air Purifiers
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Efficient Devices work
Energy conserving household appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Energy Conserving Devices
Choosing low energy household appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices are likely to have a more expensive ticket price they will usually save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our exploitation of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Fuel Security. With fuel costs consistently increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Really Cost Less?
Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your energy bills.
How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a big fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and future appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the good you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it uses to run the greater the possible savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly less noticeable impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the savings will be much lower.
You also have to ensure you use your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the most significant savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.
When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will make sure you make the top decision for you.
How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Environment
Energy efficiency isn’t all about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.
Human actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of oil and gas that are likely to be correlated to air pollution and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy refrigerators.
What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR certification was started in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for consumers to choose more efficient appliances.
Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, devices are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their grouping.
However, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 22% less energy might get the certification. So although looking out for the rating is a simple place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?
Electricity efficient household appliances really do make a impression at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.
Next time you are looking for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between brands and styles.
You’ll also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Having one large fridge is more efficient than having two smaller ones. Unless you only need the second one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the most efficient boiler will not save you money if it’s three times the capacity you should be using for your home.
Appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.