Most household appliances look very similar outwardly but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating costs.
Here you will learn everything you need to know about energy conserving household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, how they work, the advantages of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Nifty Naperville Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of decreased energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your home so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which requires employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy efficient devices are made to provide the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.
Many household appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are compared to other similar household appliances.
These simple labels can be a great place to start when figuring out if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.
Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances
Some different types of low energy household appliances include:
- Fridges
- Air Purifiers
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work
Electricity saving appliances work by employing the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Appliances
Using electricity saving appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:
- Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less resources it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can experience a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances may have a higher initial cost they will usually save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our use of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future generations.
- Resource Security. With energy prices constantly rising and natural resources continually being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Actually Reduce Bills?
Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and therefore your electricity bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.
The older the good you are replacing 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. I.e substituting an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a marked difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a much smaller impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.
You also have to ensure you use your household appliances energy-efficient settings to get the best 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 purchase price and the usage costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.
How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Environment
Reducing energy consumption isn’t only about reducing your bills. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of non-renewable resources that are likely to be linked to air pollution and climate change.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for people to decide upon more sustainable devices.
Certified products must meet both power performance and consumer needs in regards to performance and attributes.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to gain the star mark, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their class.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 20% less energy would get the certification. Thus although making sure you see the symbol is a good first step, it is still worth finding out the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Is an Low Energy Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.
Next time you are looking for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and styles.
You may also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make better comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Running one bigger fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only use 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 two times is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the best boiler will never save you money if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.