Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of household appliances look very comparable on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and consequently running expenditure.

Here you can learn everything you need to know about electricity saving devices. Discover what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Boulder Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a traditional bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by changing the outcome. 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.

Electricity efficient appliances are engineered to offer equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Reduced power requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable devices.

These simple labels can be a good starting point when deciding if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of low energy devices include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washers
  • Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Devices work

Electricity efficient appliances work by taking advantage of the best current technology to minimize energy consumption. That might be superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Conserving Appliances

Switching to energy efficient appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it needs to complete its purpose. Meaning you can see a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although energy-efficient appliances are likely to have a bigger up-front cost they will usually save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives 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.
  4. Resource Security. With fuel costs consistently going up and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Actually Save Money?

Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and future appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance requires to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e replacing an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your home, will make a notable impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you understand your household appliances efficiency functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will ensure you make the prime decision for you.

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about saving you money. Reducing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have big effects on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of oil and gas that can be responsible for air quality degradation and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable household appliances.

Certified products must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to gain the rating, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base design in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy would get the rating. So although looking out for the symbol is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Electricity saving devices really do make a difference at an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast makes and styles.

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

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Paying for one big fridge requires less energy than having two smaller ones. Unless you only need the spare one occasionally
  • When choosing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
  • Even the best boiler will not save you money if it’s three times the spec you should be using for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances