Many household appliances appear very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating costs.
In this article you will discover everything you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Discover what energy low energy devices are, how they work, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Westminster Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is employing less energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing a filament light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only running the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Low energy devices are designed to provide the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Less power usage result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.
Many appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable household appliances.
These ratings can be a great starting point when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.
Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances
Some different types of electricity efficient appliances include:
- Fridges
- Air Purifiers
- Boilers
- Washers
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Efficient Devices work
Electricity efficient devices work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to make sure they use as little power as they can. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.
Reasons to Choose Energy Efficient Devices
Switching to low energy household appliances is a good idea for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires to complete its purpose. Meaning you can gain a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances are likely to have a more expensive up-front cost they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also preserves them for future generations.
- Fuel Security. With fuel prices continually increasing and natural resources always depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Electricity Saving Devices Actually Cost Less?
Energy conserving appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your electricity bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future devices, how much you use them 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 it uses to run the greater the possible savings. For example substituting an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, will make a notable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.
You also have to ensure you use your appliances efficiency 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 contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.
How Electricity Efficient Devices Help the Environment
Energy efficiency isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have big effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that appear to be responsible for air quality degradation and global warming.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to provide an easily recognizable way for consumers to opt-for more sustainable devices.
Certified products must meet both power performance and consumer needs in regards to quality and attributes.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard product in their class.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 15% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient could get the certification. Therefore although making sure you see the rating is a good first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Low energy appliances really do make a difference at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.
If you are shopping for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and models.
You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Having one large fridge requires less energy than having two little ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one occasionally
- When buying a new washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine two times will cost more than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the best boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.
Devices reduce in efficiency as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.