Most household appliances look very comparable outwardly but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating costs.
Here you will find out everything you need to know about low energy household appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact ASAP Scottsdale Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with a lower energy LED 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 involves using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy efficient household appliances are designed to offer equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Lower electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are when looked at next to other similar appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy starting point when determining if a device is electricity efficient or not.
Types of Low Energy Devices
Some different types of electricity saving household appliances include:
- Fridges
- Air Purifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Efficient Devices work
Energy conserving appliances work by utilizing the latest techniques to make sure they waste as little electric as possible. That might be better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.
Benefits of Low Energy Goods
Choosing energy conserving household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:
- Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can gain a dramatic saving in energy without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances might have a bigger initial cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Fuel Security. With resource costs continually rising and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Energy Efficient Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?
Electricity saving devices save you money by reducing your energy consumption and in turn your utility bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial reduction in your household bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.
The older the good you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the appliance requires to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an broken, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, will make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.
You also have to make certain you make use of your appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.
How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet
Energy efficiency isn’t only about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.
Human actions have massive impacts on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the use of non-renewable resources that appear to be responsible for air pollution and global warming.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is replying with more energy efficient 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 created in 1992 to provide an readily understandable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly appliances.
Rated products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer expectations in regards to quality and attributes.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the rating, devices must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their grouping.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy could get the symbol. Thus although looking out for the rating is a simple place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?
Energy efficient devices really do make a impression at a local and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.
When you are shopping for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast brands and styles.
You’ll also want to check how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Paying for one large fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only use the second one at certain times of the year
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a smaller machine multiple times will cost more than using a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the capacity you require for your home.
Household appliances use more energy as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.
