Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices appear very similar externally but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.

Here you can discover everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Learn more about what energy low energy appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Elroy Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy 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 different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving household appliances are designed to give equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are compared to other similar household appliances.

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

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some examples of low energy household appliances include:

Refrigerators
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Electricity saving devices work by employing the best current technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might be superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Electricity Saving Appliances

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

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a more expensive initial cost they will generally save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our abuse of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With resource costs consistently going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing less energy intensive household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

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

The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a noticeable reduction in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the likely savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you make use of your household appliances energy saving settings to get the greatest reductions. 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 upfront price and the running costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the consumption of non-renewable resources that have been responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was started in 1992 to provide an readily detectable way for buyers to choose more efficient household appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient could get the certification. So although only looking at products with the rating is a simple starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy household appliances really do make a difference at a local and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

When you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and designs.

You might 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 full size fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only need the extra one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will never save you money if it’s three times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.