Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and therefore operating expenditure.

Here you will find out everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, 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 Roy Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is employing less energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient appliances are made to offer the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.

Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are compared to other equal capacity appliances.

These ratings can be a great first point of call when deciding if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some examples of low energy appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Energy conserving devices work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might look like more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Goods

Switching to energy efficient appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it requires . Meaning you can see a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices are likely to have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our wastefulness of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With resource costs continually rising and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Devices Actually Reduce Bills?

Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your power usage and therefore your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and new appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance requires to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made 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 lower.

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

When examining new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will help you make the top decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment

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

Our actions have massive impacts on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the use of oil and gas that are likely to be responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is replying with more environmentally friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to ensure an readily understandable way for people to decide upon more eco-friendly appliances.

Certified products must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the rating, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard design in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient would get the rating. Thus although only looking at products with the symbol is a great starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy devices really do make a impression at a local and international level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to compare makes and designs.

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

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one full size fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only need the extra one during the holidays
When buying a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a space saving machine two times will cost more than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s four times the capacity you need for your home.

Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.