Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently running expenditure.

In this article you can discover all you need to know about electricity saving devices. Discover what energy low energy devices are, how they work, the advantages of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Brown Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are made to provide the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less power usage result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable appliances.

These ratings can be a good first point of call when determining if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Appliances

Some examples of low energy appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Energy conserving appliances work by employing the latest techniques to make sure they waste as little energy as possible. That might be better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Low Energy Devices

Using energy conserving household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less power it needs . Meaning you can experience a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although more efficient appliances may have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your electricity 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 abuse of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With resource prices constantly rising and natural resources continually being used up choosing less energy intensive devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Low Energy Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Electricity saving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and therefore your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and new household appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device uses to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e substituting an old, wasteful, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the savings will be much less.

You also have to make certain you make use of your devices efficiency settings 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 household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will ensure you make the prime decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the burning of fossil fuels that can be linked to air quality degradation and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for buyers to opt-for more sustainable devices.

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

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their category.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy could get the rating. Therefore although only looking at products with the rating is a great starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Electricity efficient devices really do make a impact at a local and international level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between makes and designs.

You might also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Running one bigger fridge is more efficient than paying for two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one at certain times of the year
When purchasing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine multiple times will cost more than running a higher capacity machine once.
Even the best boiler will not save you money if it’s three times the size you need for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.