Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy economy and consequently running expenditure.

Here you can learn all you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Hayward Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using reduced energy to give the same results. 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 different from energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient household appliances are designed to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less power usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices available in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are in comparison to other similar household appliances.

These ratings can be a great starting point when deciding if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of low energy devices include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Air Conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Electricity saving household appliances work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to ensure they waste as little power as they can. That might be better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Appliances

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

  1. Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it requires to complete its task. Meaning you can gain a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a bigger up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With fuel costs continually going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing energy-efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Household Appliances Really Cost Less?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and new devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the likely savings. For example replacing an broken, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.

You also have to make sure you use your devices energy-efficient functions to get the most significant savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment

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

Our actions have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious 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 global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to allow for an readily recognizable way for people to choose more eco-friendly devices.

Rated products must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the star mark, devices are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 10% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient would get the symbol. Thus although looking out for the star is a good first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity efficient appliances really do make a impact at a local and international level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

When you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare brands and models.

You might also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Paying for one large fridge requires less energy than paying for two little ones. Unless you only need the second one during the holidays
  • When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine two times will cost more than running a bigger machine once.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the capacity you require for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances

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