Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances appear very comparable from the outside but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating costs.

In this article you will understand all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, how they work, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Victory Indio Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using lower energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with a more efficient 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 similar to but not the same as energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient household appliances are created to give the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower energy requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are in comparison to other similar appliances.

These simple labels can be a good place to start when determining if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Household Appliances

Some examples of electricity efficient appliances include:

Refrigerators
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Electricity saving appliances work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might look like better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Low Energy Devices

Using energy conserving devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less power it uses to complete its purpose. Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although lower energy appliances may have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity 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 wastefulness of natural resources also preserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With fuel costs constantly increasing and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Saving Devices Really Reduce Bills?

Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement household appliances, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the device uses to run the bigger the possible savings. I.e replacing an worn out, wasteful, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you make use of your devices energy saving 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 comparing new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t only about reducing your bills. Reducing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of oil and gas that are likely to be linked to air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to ensure an easily detectable way for people to choose more sustainable household appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to have the star mark, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard model in their category.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy would get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the symbol is a good place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Electricity efficient appliances really do make a impact on an individual and international level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

When you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and designs.

You’ll also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make better comparisons.

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

Having one big fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only need the extra one during the holidays
When purchasing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a smaller machine twice uses more energy than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you require for your home.

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