Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating costs.

In this article you will find out everything you need to know about low energy household appliances. Discover what energy energy conserving household appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact D&D Worcester Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient devices are designed to provide the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are in comparison to other equal capacity devices.

These ratings can be a good place to start when determining if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Appliances

Some examples of energy efficient household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washers
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Energy conserving household appliances work by employing the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Goods

Choosing energy conserving devices is a good idea for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less power it requires . Meaning you can see a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances might have a more expensive up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our abuse of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
Resource Security. With resource costs continually increasing and natural resources constantly depleting choosing more efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?

Low energy household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a big reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device uses to run the greater the likely savings. For example substituting an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made last century you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in the last 10 years the savings will be much less.

You also have to make certain you make use of your devices energy saving settings to get the best savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When examining new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet

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

Our actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the burning of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air quality decline and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is reacting with more eco-friendly 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 rating was started in 1992 to allow for an easily detectable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable devices.

Rated products must meet both power performance and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 22% less energy might get the certification. Thus although only looking at products with the rating is a great first step, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Low energy devices really do make a impression on an individual and international level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast brands and designs.

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

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

Running one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only need the spare one occasionally
When buying a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.

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