Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating costs.

In this article you will discover everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy electricity saving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Accolade Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using reduced energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient household appliances are made to provide equivalent results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower energy usage result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are compared to other comparable devices.

These simple labels can be a good first point of call when determining if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Devices

Some different types of energy conserving appliances include:

Refrigerators
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances work

Low energy devices work by utilizing the latest techniques to ensure they waste as little power as possible. That might mean better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Low Energy Devices

Switching to electricity saving devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices may have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our exploitation of fossil fuels also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With fuel prices continually going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing energy-efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Really Reduce Bills?

Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and by association 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 relative efficiency of the existing and replacement appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the device requires to run the greater the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you make use of your household appliances energy saving functions to get the best reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will help you make the prime decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have big effects on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of non-renewable resources that appear to be responsible for air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is responding with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer requirements in regards to quality and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the star mark, household appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard product in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 15% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient would get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a impression at a local and global level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it easier to contrast makes and models.

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

Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Running one bigger fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only need the extra one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine twice uses more energy than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.