Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices look very similar externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running expenditure.

Here you can understand all you need to know about electricity saving devices. Learn more about what energy electricity saving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Lane Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using less energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with a more efficient 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 related to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving appliances are created to give equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less energy than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable household appliances.

These ratings can be a handy place to start when deciding if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of low energy devices include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Electricity efficient devices work by applying the latest techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Goods

Switching to electricity saving household appliances makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it needs . Meaning you can see a noticeable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient household appliances are likely to have a higher initial cost they will usually save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our use of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Energy Security. With fuel costs consistently going up and natural resources constantly depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Household Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

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

How much you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable difference in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement devices, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the appliance uses to run the greater the potential savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your home, will make a notable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced last century you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you make use of your devices energy saving 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 comparing new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t all about saving you money. Minimizing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of fossil fuels that are likely to be correlated to air quality decline and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to provide an easily understandable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient devices.

Certified appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to quality and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to have the star mark, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base product in their category.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 15% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient might get the certification. Thus although making sure you see the symbol is a great place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance Right for You?

Energy efficient devices really do make a impression at a local and global level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

When you are shopping for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between makes and styles.

You might also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one big fridge is more efficient than having two little ones. Unless you only need the spare one during the holidays
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the lowest energy boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you require for your home.

Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.