Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices look very comparable externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating costs.

Here you will discover everything you need to know about low energy household appliances. Discover what energy low energy appliances are, how they work, the benefits of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Action Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of less energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a traditional bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient appliances are made to give equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less energy requirements result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are in comparison to other equal capacity appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy starting point when figuring out if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of low energy household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Air Purifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washers
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Energy efficient devices work by applying the most up to date technology to make sure they use as little power as they can. That might look like more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Energy Conserving Appliances

Using electricity efficient devices is a good idea for many reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it requires to complete its task. Meaning you can see a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a higher up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Energy Security. With energy costs continually rising and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Genuinely Cost Less?

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

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement devices, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it uses to run the greater the likely savings. I.e substituting an broken, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, will make a marked impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a much smaller impact.

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

You also have to make certain you understand 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 examining new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will help you make the prime decision for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about saving you money. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the use of non-renewable resources that are likely to be responsible for air quality degradation and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to allow for an readily understandable way for buyers to choose more eco-friendly household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to have the star mark, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard model in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the rating is a good starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance Right for Your Home?

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

Next time you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the amount 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 counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Having one full size fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only turn on the second one occasionally
  • When purchasing a new washing machine think about the load size as running a smaller machine multiple times is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine once.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you need for your home.

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

Additional Types of Appliances