The majority of devices appear very comparable externally but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating costs.
In this article you can discover everything you need to know about electricity saving household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity saving devices are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Beaverton Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is making use of decreased energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a standard light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Low energy appliances are engineered to give the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less power usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are compared to other comparable devices.
These simple labels can be a handy starting point when determining if an appliance is energy efficient or not.
Types of Low Energy Devices
Some different types of energy conserving household appliances include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washers
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Saving Appliances work
Electricity saving household appliances work by utilizing the most up to date techniques to make sure they use as little electric as they can. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Goods
Using low energy devices makes sense for many reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less power it requires to undertake its task. Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices are likely to have a higher initial cost they will inevitably save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our exploitation of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Energy Security. With energy prices consistently increasing and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Electricity Saving Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?
Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and therefore your electricity bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a big fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and new devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.
The older the device you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much smaller impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.
You also have to make sure you make use of your appliances energy saving functions to get the best savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.
When comparing new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will help you make the prime decision for you.
How Energy Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment
Energy efficiency isn’t all about saving you money. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
The things we do have irreversible effects on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of oil and gas that have been responsible for air pollution and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.
What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to provide an readily understandable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient devices.
Certified products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the rating, household appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their category.
However, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient could get the symbol. Therefore although only looking at products with the rating is a good starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before making your final choice.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?
Electricity efficient appliances really do make a difference at a local and national level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.
When you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to compare makes and designs.
You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Having one large fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one at certain times of the year
- When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a higher capacity machine once.
- Even the most efficient boiler will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.
Household appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.