Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances appear very similar outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy economy and therefore running expenditure.

Here you will discover all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Learn more about what energy efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Miller Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing less energy to give the same results. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient appliances are made to provide equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Less energy usage result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many household appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable household appliances.

These ratings can be a great place to start when figuring out if an appliance is energy conserving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Household Appliances

Some examples of electricity efficient devices include:

Refrigerators
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Electricity efficient devices work by utilizing the most up to date techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Electricity Saving Goods

Choosing electricity efficient household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less power it requires . Meaning you can gain a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a higher up-front cost they will usually save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future generations.
Energy Security. With energy costs constantly going up and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Low Energy Household Appliances Genuinely Save Money?

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

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and new household appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the possible savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you understand your devices energy-efficient settings to get the best reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When comparing new household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the {running costs|ongoing costs|usage costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?

The ENERGY STAR certification was started in 1992 to allow for an easily recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to quality and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 15% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy would get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the symbol is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for You?

Low energy devices really do make a difference at an individual and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This shows the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to decide between brands and styles.

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 requires less energy than running two small ones. Unless you only use the second one during the holidays
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice uses more energy than running a higher capacity machine once.
Even the lowest energy boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you require for your home.

Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.