Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices look very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and therefore operating expenditure.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about energy efficient devices. Learn more about what energy energy conserving devices are, how they operate, the benefits of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Warner Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are created to provide equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less power requirements result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are when looked at next to other similar appliances.

These ratings can be a good first point of call when figuring out if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some different types of energy conserving appliances include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work

Energy conserving household appliances work by employing the best current techniques to make sure they waste as little energy as they can. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Energy Conserving Goods

Switching to low energy appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a higher initial cost they will usually save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Resource Security. With energy costs constantly rising and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and in turn your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and new devices, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it uses to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e substituting an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly less noticeable 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 produced in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you make use of your devices efficiency settings to get the most significant savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will make sure you make the top decision for you.

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Planet

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

Human actions have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the burning of oil and gas that have been responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for people to opt-for more efficient appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer needs in regards to quality and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the star mark, household appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy would get the rating. Thus although looking out for the symbol is a great place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

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

Energy efficient appliances really do make a difference at an individual and international level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

Next time you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare makes and styles.

You may also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one big fridge requires less energy than having two little ones. Unless you only use the extra one at certain times of the year
When purchasing a new washing machine think about the load size as running a space saving machine two times uses more energy than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

Devices use more energy as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.