Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and as a result running costs.

In this article you will learn everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, how they work, the advantages of choosing them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact HOF Highland Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing less energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Low energy household appliances are made to offer the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower energy usage result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.

Many household appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a good first point of call when determining if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some different types of electricity efficient appliances include:

  • Fridges
  • Air Conditioners
  • Water Heaters
  • Washers
  • Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Electricity saving devices work by applying the latest technology to minimize energy consumption. That might look like better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Choose Low Energy Appliances

Switching to energy efficient household appliances makes sense for many reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more economical a device is the less energy it uses to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a big saving in energy without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances might have a bigger ticket price they will usually save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our exploitation of fossil fuels also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With energy costs constantly going up and natural resources constantly depleting choosing more efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Energy Efficient Household Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and in turn your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a big fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the old and new household appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your home, will make a marked difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago 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 ensure you use your appliances energy saving 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 contrasting new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the prime decision for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about cutting costs. Minimizing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have big effects on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the burning of fossil fuels that appear to be correlated to air pollution and climate change.

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

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for people to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.

Rated products must meet both power consumption and consumer expectations in regards to quality and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the rating, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient would get the rating. So although looking out for the symbol is a simple first step, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

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

Electricity saving household appliances really do make a impression at a local and international level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.

If you are in the market for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it easier to contrast brands and styles.

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

Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:

  • Running one large fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only turn on the second one at certain times of the year
  • When buying a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a space saving machine twice will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
  • Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances