Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances appear very similar externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and therefore operating costs.

In this article you will find out all you need to know about low energy appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Shoreline Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Low energy household appliances are created to give equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less power requirements result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are in comparison to other similar household appliances.

These ratings can be a great starting point when determining if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of energy efficient devices include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Energy efficient devices work by utilizing the latest technology to ensure they waste as little energy as possible. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Devices

Using electricity efficient devices makes sense for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can experience a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices may have a more expensive ticket price they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of fossil fuels also preserves them for future generations.
Resource Security. With resource prices continually going up and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient devices makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Efficient Devices Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a substantial reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement devices, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the device needs to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built 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 household appliances energy-efficient functions 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 contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about saving you money. Reducing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have irreversible impacts on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that appear to be linked to air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to allow for an quickly recognizable way for consumers to choose more efficient appliances.

Rated products must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the star mark, devices are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient might get the rating. Thus although making sure you see the rating is a simple first step, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It shows the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to contrast brands and designs.

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

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

Having one full size fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a space saving machine twice uses more energy than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you require for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that use the most energy.