Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating expenditure.

Here you will understand all you need to know about low energy appliances. Discover what energy low energy household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Lynn Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a filament light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.

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

Energy conserving household appliances are made to offer the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Lower electricity usage result in lower utility bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are in comparison to other similar appliances.

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

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity saving appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Devices work

Electricity efficient appliances work by utilizing the latest techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Appliances

Choosing electricity efficient household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less power it needs . Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although lower energy household appliances may have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our exploitation of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With fuel costs constantly increasing and natural resources continually being used up choosing more efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Devices Really Save Money?

Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a substantial reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the possible savings. For example replacing an broken, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you are looking to save 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 understand your household appliances energy saving settings 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 examining new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t all about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that have been linked to air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is reacting with more environmentally friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for buyers to decide upon more eco-friendly devices.

Rated products must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the rating, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard product in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy would get the symbol. Thus although making sure you see the symbol is a great starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy conserving devices really do make a difference at an individual and global level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it simpler to contrast makes and models.

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

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

Running one big fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only need the spare one at certain times of the year
When purchasing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than using a bigger machine once.
Even the most efficient water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you should be using for your home.

Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.