Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances look very similar outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and consequently running costs.

Here you can find out all you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, how they work, 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 Providence Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a filament bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

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

Electricity saving appliances are engineered to offer the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower power usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These ratings can be a great starting point when figuring out if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some examples of electricity efficient devices include:

Fridges
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Electricity saving appliances work by applying the latest techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Energy Efficient Appliances

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

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it needs to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although lower energy appliances may have a bigger initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our use of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
Resource Security. With resource prices consistently increasing and natural resources continually being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your power consumption and therefore your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and future appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance requires to run the bigger the potential savings. I.e substituting an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to ensure you use your household appliances efficiency functions 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 all about saving you money. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have irreversible impacts on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the burning of oil and gas that are likely to be responsible for air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to allow for an easily detectable way for consumers to decide upon more eco-friendly household appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the rating, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their grouping.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy would get the symbol. Thus although making sure you see the symbol is a simple first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving appliances really do make a difference at an individual and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it simpler to decide between makes and styles.

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

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

Running one full size fridge is more efficient than having two little ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine multiple times will cost more than running a bigger machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you require for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.