Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and therefore operating costs.

In this article you will find out all you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Learn more about what energy energy conserving 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 Cooper Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is making use of less energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Low energy devices are designed to offer equivalent results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are compared to other equal capacity appliances.

These ratings can be a good starting point when figuring out if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some examples of energy conserving appliances include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Electricity saving devices work by utilizing the most up to date technology to ensure they use as little power as they can. That might mean better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Devices

Switching to low energy appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less power it needs to complete its task. Meaning you can gain a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices may have a bigger ticket price they will usually save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our use of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Resource Security. With energy costs constantly rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing more efficient household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and in turn your utility 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 previous and new devices, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the bigger the possible savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a much less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the savings will be much less.

You also have to make certain you use your appliances energy saving functions to get the greatest 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 ongoing costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about cutting costs. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have irreversible effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of non-renewable resources that can be linked to air quality decline and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard design in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy might get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the star is a great starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for You?

Electricity efficient household appliances really do make a impression at an individual and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

Next time you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to compare brands and designs.

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

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

Running one big fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only turn on the second one occasionally
When choosing a new washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine twice uses more energy than using a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the size you need for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they get older so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the items that use the most energy.