Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances look very similar externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating costs.

In this article you can find out everything you need to know about electricity saving devices. Learn more about what energy efficient appliances are, how they work, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact McBride Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a filament light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are engineered to give equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less energy than base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are compared to other equal capacity appliances.

These ratings can be a handy starting point when deciding if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some examples of energy efficient household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Energy conserving appliances work by employing the most up to date technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Using electricity efficient devices makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can experience a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances are likely to have a higher initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
Fuel Security. With energy prices continually increasing and natural resources continually being used up choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your electricity usage and therefore your energy bills.

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a big reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement devices, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy it requires to run the greater the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to make sure you understand your devices energy-efficient functions to get the greatest reductions. 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 purchase price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t all about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have big effects on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the consumption of oil and gas that can be linked to air pollution and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to allow for an readily recognizable way for people to decide upon more eco-friendly appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both power performance and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

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

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the symbol is a simple starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a difference at an individual and national level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it easier to decide between brands and styles.

You might also want to check how much your energy costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one big fridge requires less energy than running two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a smaller machine multiple times is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the capacity you should be using for your home.

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