The majority of household appliances appear very similar from the outside but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy economy and as a result operating expenditure.
Here you will learn everything you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity saving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of choosing them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Done-Right Davie Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is using reduced energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Electricity saving devices are designed to give the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less power usage result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.
Many appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are when looked at next to other similar appliances.
These ratings can be a great starting point when deciding if an appliance is low energy or not.
Types of Energy Efficient Devices
Some different types of energy conserving devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washers
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work
Energy efficient appliances work by applying the latest techniques to ensure they use as little power as possible. That might mean better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.
Advantages of Electricity Efficient Appliances
Switching to electricity efficient household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less power it needs . Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a higher up-front cost they will usually save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Energy Security. With energy prices constantly going up and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Genuinely Save Money?
Electricity saving devices save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your utility bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a substantial reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and new appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.
The older the device you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the likely savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a noticeable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.
You also have to make certain you understand your household appliances energy saving settings to get the most significant savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.
When examining new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.
How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Environment
Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has an environmental impact.
Human actions have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the consumption of oil and gas that can be correlated to air quality degradation and global warming.
As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR marked Devices?
The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to ensure an readily detectable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable household appliances.
Certified products must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient could get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the star is a good first step, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Low energy household appliances really do make a difference at a local and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.
Next time you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast brands and styles.
You might also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Having one large fridge requires less energy than having two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second 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 turning on a bigger machine once.
- Even the best water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s two times the size you should be using for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.