Energy Efficient Appliances

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

In this article you can understand all you need to know about low energy appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact C&B Chino Hills Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a standard 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 not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient devices are made to give equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy usage result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances display EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are compared to other similar appliances.

These ratings can be a good place to start when figuring out if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Electricity saving devices work by applying the best current techniques to make sure they waste as little electric as possible. That might be superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Advantages of Energy Conserving Goods

Switching to electricity efficient household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it requires . Meaning you can see a big saving in energy without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although lower energy household appliances may have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our use of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With energy prices consistently going up and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and future appliances, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it needs to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e replacing an broken, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, could make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a much smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much less.

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

When examining new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Devices Help the Environment

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

Human actions have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of oil and gas that are likely to be linked to air quality decline and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to ensure an readily understandable way for people to opt-for more efficient devices.

Rated products must meet both power performance and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to have the star mark, devices are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their grouping.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy could get the rating. Thus although only looking at products with the star is a simple place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?

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

If you are shopping for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to contrast brands and designs.

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

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

  • Running one bigger fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only use the second one during the holidays
  • When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a bigger machine once.
  • Even the most efficient water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you require for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they get older so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances