Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices look very comparable externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently running expenditure.

In this article you will learn all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Swift Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of decreased energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent 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 similar to but different from energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are made to offer equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less power than base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are in comparison to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a handy first point of call when determining if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of energy efficient household appliances include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Appliances work

Energy efficient appliances work by employing the latest techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might be superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Devices

Switching to energy efficient household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less resources it uses to complete its task. Meaning you can see a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices might have a more expensive ticket price they will usually save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With resource costs consistently going up and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?

Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a marked impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.

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

You also have to make certain you use your devices energy-efficient settings to get the most significant savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t all about saving you money. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the consumption of oil and gas that have been responsible for air quality degradation and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable water bottles or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to allow for an easily recognizable way for people to opt-for more sustainable appliances.

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

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to gain the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base design in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient would get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the star is a good starting point, it is still worth checking the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

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

If you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast makes and models.

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

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

Paying for one large fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only use the extra one during the holidays
When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine two times uses more energy than running a bigger machine once.
Even the best boiler will not save you money if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the items that use the most energy.