Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances appear very comparable from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and as a result running expenditure.

In this article you can find out all you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy efficient devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Cherry Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using reduced energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient devices are engineered to provide equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many household appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

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

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of electricity efficient appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Appliances work

Low energy devices work by employing the most up to date techniques to ensure they use as little power as possible. That might be superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Energy Efficient Goods

Using energy conserving appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less resources it requires . Meaning you can see a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient appliances might have a more expensive up-front cost they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our use of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
Resource Security. With fuel prices consistently increasing and natural resources always depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Devices Actually Save Money?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and therefore your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a noticeable difference in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and replacement devices, 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. Likewise the more energy the appliance uses to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a much smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago 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 ensure you use your appliances energy-efficient settings to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will make sure you make the prime decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Devices Help the Environment

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

The things we do have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the burning of non-renewable resources that are likely to be linked to air quality decline and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to ensure an quickly detectable way for buyers to choose more efficient household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the rating, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base model in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy would get the rating. So although making sure you see the rating is a good starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity saving household appliances really do make a difference at a local and national level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to decide between brands and models.

You might also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only need the extra one during the holidays
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a smaller machine multiple times uses more energy than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.

Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.