Many household appliances look very similar outwardly but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and consequently running expenditure.
Here you can find out everything you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Discover what energy low energy household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Achieve Dearborn Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is making use of decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a standard light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Low energy household appliances are created to give equivalent results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less energy than lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are in comparison to other similar devices.
These ratings can be a good first point of call when determining if an appliance is energy conserving or not.
Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances
Some examples of electricity efficient household appliances include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washers
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Efficient Devices work
Electricity saving household appliances work by applying the latest techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might be superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Energy Conserving Devices
Switching to low energy devices is a good idea for many reasons:
- Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less energy it uses to complete its purpose. Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances may have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our wastefulness of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future generations.
- Energy Security. With fuel prices continually rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Low Energy Appliances Really Reduce Bills?
Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and in turn your utility bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device requires to run the bigger the likely savings. For example substituting an old, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, will make a notable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was built last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the savings will be much less.
You also have to make certain you understand your devices energy-efficient settings to get the greatest reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.
When examining new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.
How Electricity Saving Devices Help the Planet
Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. Cutting energy usage also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of oil and gas that have been correlated to air quality decline and global warming.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR symbol was started in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for people to opt-for more sustainable household appliances.
Rated appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer requirements in regards to quality and features.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base product in their category.
However, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 12% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient could get the rating. Therefore although only looking at products with the star is a great place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before picking the best one for you.
Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Energy efficient household appliances really do make a impact at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.
When you are shopping for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to contrast brands and designs.
You’ll also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Having one big fridge requires less energy than having two small ones. Unless you only turn on the second one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a smaller machine multiple times uses more energy than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the most efficient boiler will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the size you should be using for your home.
Appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the items that use the most energy.