Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances look very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating expenditure.

In this article you can understand all you need to know about electricity saving devices. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Infinity Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using lower energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient devices are created to provide the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are in comparison to other similar household appliances.

These ratings can be a great starting point when figuring out if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some different types of low energy household appliances include:

  • Fridges
  • Air Purifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Low Energy Appliances work

Energy conserving appliances work by employing the most up to date technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Devices

Switching to energy efficient appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more economical a device is the less resources it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can see a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices may have a higher ticket price they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our abuse of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With fuel costs continually increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing energy-efficient devices makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Actually Save Money?

Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement household appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy it requires to run the greater the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas uprating 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 made in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you use your appliances energy saving functions to get the best reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When comparing new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about reducing your bills. Reducing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the use of oil and gas that can be correlated to air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is replying with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was started in 1992 to allow for an easily detectable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient appliances.

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

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the star mark, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 22% less energy could get the symbol. Therefore although only looking at products with the rating is a simple 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?

Low energy devices really do make a difference at an individual and national level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to decide between 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:

  • Paying for one large fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only use the spare one during the holidays
  • When buying a new washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine two times is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances