The majority of appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating expenditure.
Here you will find out all you need to know about energy efficient devices. Discover what energy electricity efficient devices are, what makes them different, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Five Star Yakima Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a standard bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just running the washing machine when you have a full load.
Low energy household appliances are created to provide equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower energy usage result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many devices available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable appliances.
These ratings can be a great starting point when deciding if an appliance is low energy or not.
Types of Electricity Saving Appliances
Some examples of energy conserving devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Air Conditioners
- Boilers
- Washers
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Saving Appliances work
Electricity saving household appliances work by utilizing the latest techniques to ensure they waste as little electric as possible. That might be superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.
Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Goods
Switching to energy conserving appliances makes sense for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can gain a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although lower energy household appliances may have a higher up-front cost they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our wastefulness of fossil fuels also conserves them for future generations.
- Energy Security. With resource costs consistently increasing and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Energy Conserving Devices Actually Reduce Bills?
Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your electricity bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a big reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy it requires to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your home, will make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much smaller impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was built last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.
You also have to ensure you use your appliances 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 household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will ensure you make the prime decision for you.
How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Environment
Saving energy isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have big effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels that appear to be correlated to air quality decline and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is replying with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to provide an readily understandable way for people to choose more sustainable devices.
Rated products must meet both energy performance and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the star mark, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base product in their category.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 15% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient could get the symbol. Thus although looking out for the symbol is a good starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Energy efficient devices really do make a impact at a local and international level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.
Next time you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to contrast brands and models.
You may also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Having one large fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only use the extra one occasionally
- When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine multiple times will cost more than running a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will not save you money if it’s four times the spec you need for your home.
Appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that use the most energy.