Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances look very comparable on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and consequently running costs.

Here you can find out all you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Midwest Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of less energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a traditional light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are designed to provide the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower electricity requirements result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less electricity than base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable appliances.

These simple labels can be a great first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some examples of low energy devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Low energy devices work by applying the most up to date technology to make sure they waste as little power as they can. That might look like superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Electricity Efficient Devices

Switching to electricity saving devices is a good idea for many reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less resources it requires to complete its purpose. Meaning you can experience a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a more expensive ticket price they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our exploitation of fossil fuels also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With energy costs continually rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Household Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your power consumption and therefore your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new household appliances, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the possible savings. For example substituting an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, will make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a much smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you use your appliances efficiency functions to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When comparing new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have big impacts on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of non-renewable resources that appear to be responsible for air quality degradation and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to allow for an readily recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy performance and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, devices must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy would get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the rating is a good place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?

Energy efficient household appliances really do make a difference on an individual and global level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

If you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to compare makes and styles.

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

Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
When buying a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine two times is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the most efficient water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

Household appliances use more energy as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.