Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently running expenditure.

Here you will discover all you need to know about electricity saving devices. Discover what energy efficient appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Donaldson Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are made to give the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less power requirements result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less energy than base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity devices.

These simple labels can be a good starting point when figuring out if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Devices

Some different types of energy conserving devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Purifiers
Boilers
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Devices work

Low energy appliances work by employing the most up to date techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Appliances

Using low energy household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The more economical a device is the less power it uses to complete its task. Meaning you can see a noticeable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a higher initial cost they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our use of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With energy costs constantly rising and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Low Energy Household Appliances Really Save Money?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and in turn your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement household appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the device uses to run the bigger the possible savings. For example replacing an broken, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, will make a marked difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a much smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you make use of your appliances efficiency settings to get the most significant reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t only about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the use of oil and gas that can be linked to air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions 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 rated Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for buyers to choose more eco-friendly appliances.

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

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base design in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 10% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient could get the rating. So although looking out for the rating is a simple place to start, it is still worth checking the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

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

Energy efficient devices really do make a impact at an individual and international level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

If you are in the market for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and designs.

You’ll also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge requires less energy than having two little ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one occasionally
When purchasing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a smaller machine twice is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.