Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices appear very comparable externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating expenditure.

Here you can learn all you need to know about energy efficient devices. Discover what energy energy conserving household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Lawson’s Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using decreased energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a standard bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving appliances are created to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower energy usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a good starting point when figuring out if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some examples of energy conserving devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Electricity saving devices work by employing the best current techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Devices

Choosing energy efficient devices makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less power it needs to complete its task. Meaning you can gain a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient household appliances are likely to have a bigger up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our exploitation of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With energy costs consistently going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing less energy intensive household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Devices Really Reduce Bills?

Low energy household appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and by association your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a substantial difference in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and replacement appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e replacing an broken, wasteful, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, could make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.

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

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

When comparing new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Devices Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about saving you money. Minimizing energy requirements 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 consumption of oil and gas that have been responsible for air quality decline and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to ensure an readily understandable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to quality and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the rating, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy would get the certification. So although only looking at products with the star is a simple place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving appliances really do make a difference 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 device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it simpler to compare brands and models.

You might also want to make a note of 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 big fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one during the holidays
When buying a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine two times is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s four times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances use more energy 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.