Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and as a result running costs.

In this article you will find out everything you need to know about energy conserving devices. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, how they work, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Rhodes Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is using decreased energy to perform the same function. 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 to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient household appliances are made to provide the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower power usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity devices.

These ratings can be a good starting point when deciding if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Devices

Some different types of low energy appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Household Appliances work

Energy conserving devices work by applying the most up to date technology to maximize efficiency. That might look like better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Electricity Saving Goods

Using electricity saving devices makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a more expensive initial cost they will inevitably save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With fuel prices continually rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing more efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your utility bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a big difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the appliance uses to run the greater the potential savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your home, could make a notable difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a much less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to ensure you use your household appliances efficiency 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 contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will help you make the top decision for you.

How Electricity Saving Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have big effects on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the consumption of fossil fuels that are likely to be responsible for air pollution and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to allow for an quickly recognizable way for consumers to choose more efficient devices.

Rated products must meet both power performance and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the rating, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their grouping.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that uses 12% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient would get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the star is a simple place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for You?

Electricity efficient devices really do make a impression at an individual and national level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

When you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it easier to compare brands and models.

You may also want to check how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Running one full size fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one during the holidays
When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a smaller machine multiple times will cost more than using a bigger machine once.
Even the most efficient water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s three times the spec you need for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.