Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices appear very comparable outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and as a result running costs.

Here you will discover everything you need to know about low energy household appliances. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Ally Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing lower energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a traditional light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving appliances are made to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.

Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are compared to other similar appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy starting point when determining if a device is energy efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Devices

Some examples of electricity efficient devices include:

Fridges
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Devices work

Energy conserving household appliances work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to maximize efficiency. That might be superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Goods

Switching to low energy household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it uses to complete its purpose. Meaning you can see a big saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices may have a bigger initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our use of natural resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With fuel costs constantly rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Devices Actually Reduce Bills?

Low energy household appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and in turn your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a big difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, the amount they get used 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 it requires to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e replacing an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a marked difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.

You also have to make sure you understand your devices energy saving settings to get the best savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will make sure you make the best decision for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Environment

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

Human actions have irreversible impacts 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 can be responsible for air pollution and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to allow for an easily recognizable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient household appliances.

Rated products must meet both power efficiency and consumer needs in regards to performance and attributes.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the star mark, appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base model in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the symbol. Thus although only looking at products with the rating is a good first step, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy efficient devices really do make a impression at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to decide between makes and styles.

You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Paying for one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two little ones. Unless you only turn on the second one occasionally
When buying a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a lower capacity machine two times will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the most efficient water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s three times the capacity you require for your home.

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