Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very similar externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating expenditure.

In this article you will find out all you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the benefits of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Legacy League City Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of reduced energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing a standard light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving household appliances are made to give equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower power requirements result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are when looked at next to other equal capacity devices.

These simple labels can be a handy starting point when figuring out if a device is electricity saving or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Devices

Some examples of energy efficient appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Air Purifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washers
  • Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work

Electricity efficient devices work by utilizing the most up to date techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient Devices

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

  1. Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less energy it requires to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices might have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our wastefulness of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With energy costs continually increasing and natural resources constantly depleting choosing more efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Efficient Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and by association your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a noticeable fall in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and future household appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the device you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you understand your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the most significant savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will help you make the top decision for you.

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about saving you money. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the burning of oil and gas that can be responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR Rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to provide an easily detectable way for people to opt-for more efficient appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to have the star mark, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard product in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the rating. Therefore although looking out for the star is a great starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Electricity saving devices really do make a difference at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and styles.

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

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Having one large fridge requires less energy than having two little ones. Unless you only need the extra one at certain times of the year
  • When buying a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
  • Even the most efficient boiler will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.

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

Additional Types of Appliances

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