Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you will learn all you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity saving appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact G&C Appliance Repair here for professional information.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, 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 appliances are created to give the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are compared to other similar household appliances.

These simple labels can be a great place to start when determining if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Appliances

Some different types of energy efficient appliances include:

• Fridge-Freezers
• Air Conditioners
• Boilers
• Washing Machines
• Dishwashers

How Low Energy Devices work

Electricity efficient devices work by applying the most up to date technology to make sure they waste as little electric as possible. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Using energy efficient household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

1. Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less power it needs . Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
2. Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances might have a more expensive ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
3. Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our abuse of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
4. Resource Security. With fuel costs consistently going up and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Low Energy Devices Really Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and new household appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the possible savings. For example substituting an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, will make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the savings will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you make use of your household appliances energy saving functions to get the greatest savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will help you make the prime decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t just about saving you money. Cutting energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have big effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of oil and gas that appear to be correlated to air quality degradation and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for buyers to decide upon more eco-friendly devices.

Rated appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to quality and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base model in their grouping.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 10% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient would get the rating. Therefore although only looking at products with the star is a good place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy devices really do make a difference on an individual and national level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are shopping for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it simpler to contrast brands and styles.

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

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

• Running one large fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one during the holidays
• When choosing a new washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine multiple times uses more energy than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
• Even the most efficient boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you require for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage. Continue reading our articles on types of appliances.

Additional Types of Appliances

• Electrical Appliances
• Gas Appliances
• Commercial Appliances
• Smart Appliances