Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances appear very similar outwardly but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and as a result operating costs.

In this article you can understand all you need to know about electricity saving appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy devices are, how they operate, 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 Anytime Ann Arbor Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a filament light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are engineered to provide the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Reduced power usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity appliances.

These ratings can be a great starting point when deciding if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some different types of energy conserving household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Air Conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work

Low energy appliances work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Electricity Efficient Goods

Choosing electricity saving appliances makes sense for many reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less power it needs . Meaning you can gain a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although lower energy devices might have a more expensive up-front cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the energy 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 generations.
  4. Energy Security. With fuel prices consistently rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Really Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your power usage and in turn your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a noticeable reduction in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and new appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it requires to run the bigger the possible savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, could make a marked impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made last century 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 lower.

You also have to make certain you make use of your household appliances energy saving functions 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 help you make the top choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Devices Help the Environment

Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. Reducing energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of oil and gas that are likely to be correlated to air pollution and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to provide an easily understandable way for buyers to opt-for more efficient household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their grouping.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient would get the rating. Thus although looking out for the star is a good first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for Your Home?

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

Next time you are in the market for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it simpler to compare brands and designs.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much your energy costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Paying for one bigger fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only need the spare 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 two times uses more energy than turning on a bigger machine once.
  • Even the best boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s four times the size you need for your home.

Devices reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances