Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices look very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and therefore running expenditure.

Here you will understand all you need to know about low energy devices. Learn more about what energy low energy household appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Gibson Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using decreased energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent 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 related to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving appliances are designed to provide equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Lower power requirements result in lower utility bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are compared to other comparable devices.

These ratings can be a great first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some examples of electricity efficient household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Energy conserving appliances work by utilizing the best current technology to maximize efficiency. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Energy Efficient Goods

Switching to energy conserving appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can experience a noticeable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient appliances might have a more expensive up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With energy costs continually rising and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Low Energy Household Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Electricity saving household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and future appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device needs to run the greater the possible savings. I.e substituting an worn out, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your home, could make a marked impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to ensure you use your household appliances efficiency settings to get the greatest 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 ticket price and the ongoing costs will help you make the top decision for you.

How Electricity Efficient Devices Help the Environment

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

Our actions have big impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of fossil fuels that are likely to be linked to air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to allow for an easily understandable way for people to choose more eco-friendly devices.

Rated appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer needs in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to have the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient would get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity efficient appliances really do make a impact at a local and national level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare brands and styles.

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

Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Running one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two little ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one occasionally
When buying a new washing machine think about the load size as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than running a bigger machine once.
Even the best water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.

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