Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and therefore running costs.

In this article you can learn all you need to know about energy efficient devices. Discover what energy energy conserving appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Halo Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is employing lower energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing a standard bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Low energy appliances are designed to provide the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Less energy usage result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances display EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are compared to other equal capacity appliances.

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

Types of Energy Conserving Devices

Some different types of electricity saving appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Electricity efficient appliances work by applying the best current technology to make sure they waste as little energy as they can. That might look like better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Devices

Using electricity efficient devices is a good idea for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can see a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our exploitation of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy costs consistently going up and natural resources constantly being used up choosing more efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Really Save Money?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a big reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the greater the possible savings. For example substituting an old, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your home, will make a noticeable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a much smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in the last 10 years the savings will be much less.

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

When examining new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will make sure you make the best decision for you.

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have irreversible impacts on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels that are likely to be linked to air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more environmentally friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for consumers to choose more eco-friendly household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to gain the rating, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient could get the symbol. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a good first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?

Energy efficient devices really do make a impact at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

Next time you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to decide between brands and styles.

You may also want to make a note of 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 full size fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only use the second one at certain times of the year
When buying a new washing machine think about the load size as running a lower capacity machine twice is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the best boiler will never save you money if it’s four times the spec you require for your home.

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