Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and as a result running expenditure.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about low energy household appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Apollo Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using decreased energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are designed to provide the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less power requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than standard 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 household appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy place to start when determining if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Low Energy Appliances

Some examples of electricity efficient appliances include:

Fridges
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Low energy devices work by applying the best current techniques to ensure they use as little power as they can. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Goods

Switching to energy conserving appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less power it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can experience a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient household appliances may have a bigger initial cost they will usually save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of non-renewable resources also keeps them for future generations.
Energy Security. With fuel prices consistently increasing and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Genuinely Save Money?

Electricity efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and by association your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable difference in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and replacement devices, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the appliance needs to run the bigger the potential savings. I.e replacing an worn out, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your home, could make a notable impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a much smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to make sure you understand your household appliances energy saving functions to get the most significant savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will ensure you make the prime choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t just about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have big impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the consumption of fossil fuels that are likely to be correlated to air quality degradation and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to allow for an readily recognizable way for people to choose more efficient appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the star mark, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient might get the certification. Thus although only looking at products with the rating is a simple place to start, it is still worth checking the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?

Low energy devices really do make a impact on an individual and national level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to contrast brands and models.

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

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

Having one large fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one occasionally
When purchasing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a space saving machine two times is less efficient than using a bigger machine once.
Even the best water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s four times the spec you need for your home.

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 appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.