Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices appear very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating expenditure.

Here you will discover everything you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, how they operate, the advantages of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Duncan Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. 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 efficient devices are designed to provide the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Less energy requirements result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable devices.

These ratings can be a handy place to start when figuring out if a device is energy efficient or not.

Types of Low Energy Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:

  • Fridges
  • Air Purifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Low energy devices work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Benefits of Low Energy Appliances

Switching to low energy household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it uses to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient appliances are likely to have a higher up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With energy costs constantly rising and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Really Save Money?

Electricity saving household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement household appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it uses to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e substituting an old, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, will make a marked impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

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

You also have to make certain you make use of your appliances efficiency settings to get the most significant reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t all about saving you money. Reducing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have big effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of oil and gas that can be correlated to air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was started in 1992 to provide an easily detectable way for people to choose more efficient appliances.

Certified products must meet both power performance and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.

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

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 12% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient might get the symbol. Thus although only looking at products with the symbol is a simple starting point, it is still worth checking the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impression at a local and national level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare makes and models.

You may also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

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

  • Having one big fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only need the extra one at certain times of the year
  • When purchasing a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine multiple times uses more energy than using a higher capacity machine once.
  • Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s four times the size you need for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances

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