Energy Efficient Appliances

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The majority of household appliances appear very comparable from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and consequently operating costs.

In this article you can understand all you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Discover what energy energy conserving household appliances are, how they work, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Foster Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which requires using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. 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 conserving appliances are designed to provide equivalent results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Less power requirements result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.

Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are compared to other similar appliances.

These ratings can be a great starting point when determining if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity saving devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Appliances work

Energy efficient household appliances work by taking advantage of the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Saving Goods

Choosing energy efficient appliances makes sense for many reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less power it requires to complete its task. Meaning you can experience a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy household appliances might have a bigger ticket price they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future generations.
Energy Security. With energy prices continually increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a big reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the device uses to run the greater the possible savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to ensure you understand your appliances energy-efficient settings to get the best savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will ensure you make the top decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air quality decline and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for consumers to decide upon more efficient household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, devices must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient could get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for You?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impact at a local and global level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

Next time you are shopping for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it easier to decide between makes and styles.

You might also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Paying for one large fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one occasionally
When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a space saving machine twice is less efficient than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the best water heater will not save you money if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.