Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating expenditure.

Here you will discover all you need to know about low energy household appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits 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 Hi-Tech Midlothian Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are engineered to give the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and less environmental impact.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are when looked at next to other similar devices.

These ratings can be a good place to start when determining if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some examples of electricity saving household appliances include:

  • Fridges
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washers
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Appliances work

Energy efficient household appliances work by utilizing the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Energy Conserving Devices

Using energy conserving appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more economical a device is the less energy it uses to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can see a big reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices may have a higher up-front cost they will usually save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our abuse of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With resource costs continually going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing less energy intensive household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Efficient Devices Really Reduce Bills?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and replacement household appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the appliance needs to run the greater the potential savings. I.e replacing an broken, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, could make a noticeable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a much less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.

You also have to make certain you use your devices energy saving functions 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 upfront price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about reducing your bills. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the burning of oil and gas that have been correlated to air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to allow for an readily recognizable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable devices.

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

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their grouping.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient might get the symbol. Thus although only looking at products with the star is a great starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity efficient household appliances really do make a impression at a local and national level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

If you are in the market for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This shows the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to decide between brands and models.

You might also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.

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

  • Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only use the second one occasionally
  • When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a smaller machine two times will cost more than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you require for your home.

Household appliances use more energy as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances

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