Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very similar outwardly but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and therefore running costs.

Here you will learn everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact New Rochelle Appliance Repair ASAP.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which involves employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient household appliances are made to provide equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Less energy usage result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to base models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are compared to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a great place to start when deciding if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving devices include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Dishwashers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Low energy appliances work by taking advantage of the best current technology to maximize efficiency. That might be superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Conserving Devices

Choosing low energy devices makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it uses . Meaning you can see a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although lower energy devices are likely to have a bigger initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our use of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With resource costs constantly rising and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Actually Save Money?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and in turn your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and new devices, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the possible savings. For example substituting an broken, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your home, will make a notable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you understand your appliances efficiency settings to get the most significant savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t only about cutting costs. Cutting energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of fossil fuels that appear to be responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to provide an easily understandable way for buyers to choose more sustainable devices.

Certified appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the star mark, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy would get the rating. Therefore although looking out for the star is a simple first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?

Energy efficient appliances really do make a impression at an individual and global level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to decide between brands and models.

You might also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Paying for one large fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only need the spare one during the holidays
When buying a new washing machine consider the load size as running a smaller machine two times will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you need for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.