Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances look very similar externally but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running expenditure.

Here you can learn all you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity saving devices are, how they work, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Cardinal Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using decreased energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which requires using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are made to provide equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced energy usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a great starting point when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Devices work

Electricity saving household appliances work by applying the best current technology to make sure they use as little power as they can. That might look like better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Appliances

Choosing low energy appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less energy it needs to complete its task. Meaning you can experience a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although more efficient appliances may have a bigger up-front cost they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your electricity 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. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With fuel prices continually going up and natural resources constantly being used up choosing more efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a big reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance requires to run the bigger the potential savings. For example substituting an old, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, could make a marked impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a much smaller impact.

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

You also have to ensure you make use of your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t only about saving you money. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most pressing 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 more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to allow for an easily recognizable way for consumers to opt-for more sustainable household appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to quality and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to gain the rating, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base design in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the symbol. So although making sure you see the rating is a good starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Low energy household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and national level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

When you are shopping for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to contrast makes and styles.

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

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

Having one bigger fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one during the holidays
When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine twice uses more energy than using a bigger machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you should be using for your home.

Household appliances use more energy as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.