Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and as a result running costs.

In this article you will find out all you need to know about electricity saving household appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient appliances are, how they work, the advantages of choosing them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact PTX Pasadena Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of less energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Low energy appliances are made to give the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower energy requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less energy than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are compared to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a handy place to start when determining if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances

Some different types of electricity efficient appliances include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Electricity saving devices work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Saving Devices

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

  1. Reducing energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less power it requires . Meaning you can gain a noticeable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances might have a more expensive initial cost they will usually save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our use of fossil fuels also keeps them for future generations.
  4. Fuel Security. With fuel costs constantly rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Actually Save Money?

Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a big difference in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new household appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it needs to run the more significant the likely savings. I.e replacing an broken, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your space, will make a notable impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is just 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make certain you understand your appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet

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

Our actions have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the consumption of fossil fuels that can be correlated to air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for people to opt-for more efficient devices.

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

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the star mark, devices are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient might get the certification. Therefore although only looking at products with the star is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?

Electricity saving devices really do make a impression at an individual and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

Next time you are shopping for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast brands and styles.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

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

  • Paying for one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two little ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one during the holidays
  • When purchasing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a smaller machine multiple times is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the most efficient boiler will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you should be using for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the items that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances

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