Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances look very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and consequently running costs.

In this article you can learn everything you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Discover what energy efficient appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Astra Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy efficient devices are designed to give the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Less energy requirements result in lower utility bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are in comparison to other comparable devices.

These simple labels can be a great first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Purifiers
Boilers
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Electricity efficient appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Switching to electricity efficient appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less power it needs to complete its task. Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient appliances may have a bigger ticket price they will generally save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of non-renewable resources also conserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With resource prices continually going up and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Really Save Money?

Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and in turn your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and future devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are upgrading is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it needs to run the more significant the possible savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your home, could make a notable difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built 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 energy-efficient functions to get the greatest savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will help you make the prime choice for you.

How Electricity Efficient Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t only about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have big effects on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of fossil fuels that have been responsible for air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for buyers to decide upon more eco-friendly devices.

Rated products must meet both power efficiency and consumer needs in regards to performance and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the rating, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base product in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy might get the symbol. So although looking out for the rating is a good place to start, it is still worth checking the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impact on an individual and international level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

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

You may also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

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

Having one bigger fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one during the holidays
When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a space saving machine two times will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient boiler will not save you money if it’s two times the capacity you require for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.