Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances look very similar from the outside but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and consequently running costs.

Here you can find out all you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Boyle Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using decreased energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are designed to offer the same results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are in comparison to other equal capacity devices.

These ratings can be a good starting point when deciding if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances work

Electricity efficient household appliances work by employing the best current techniques to maximize efficiency. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Choosing energy efficient appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although lower energy appliances may have a higher ticket price they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our wastefulness of fossil fuels also keeps them for future generations.
Energy Security. With resource prices consistently increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your energy bills.

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

The older the device you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the appliance uses to run the greater the likely savings. For example replacing an broken, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, could make a marked difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a much smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to ensure you use your household appliances efficiency functions 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 ticket price and the running costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about cutting costs. Cutting energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of fossil fuels that are likely to be correlated to air quality degradation and climate change.

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

What are ENERGY STAR marked Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an readily detectable way for consumers to choose more eco-friendly appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to quality and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base model in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient would get the symbol. So although making sure you see the symbol is a great place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a impact on an individual and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to decide between brands and models.

You might also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only turn on the second one during the holidays
When purchasing a new washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine twice will cost more than running a higher capacity machine once.
Even the best water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s three times the size you need for your home.

Devices use more energy as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.