Many appliances appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and consequently running expenditure.
In this article you will discover everything you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy low energy appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Premiere Plantation Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which requires using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Electricity saving appliances are made to provide equivalent outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.
Many household appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than base models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are compared to other equal capacity devices.
These simple labels can be a good first point of call when deciding if an appliance is energy conserving or not.
Types of Low Energy Devices
Some examples of energy conserving household appliances include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Electricity Saving Devices work
Electricity efficient devices work by utilizing the latest techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might mean better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.
Advantages of Energy Conserving Devices
Using energy conserving household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:
- Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can see a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a bigger initial cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our use of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future generations.
- Energy Security. With energy costs continually going up and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Electricity Saving Appliances Really Save Money?
Energy efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your utility bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement devices, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the good you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the possible savings. For example replacing an broken, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your home, will make a marked impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less significant.
You also have to make certain you understand your devices energy saving functions to get the best savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When comparing new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will make sure you make the prime decision for you.
How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment
Energy efficiency isn’t just about saving you money. Cutting energy usage also has a sustainability impact.
Human actions have irreversible effects on the environment, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the consumption of fossil fuels that are likely to be linked to air quality decline and climate change.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for people to choose more eco-friendly devices.
Certified products must meet both energy performance and consumer needs in regards to quality and attributes.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the rating, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient would get the certification. So although only looking at products with the symbol is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.
Is an Energy Efficient Appliance Right for You?
Electricity efficient devices really do make a impression at a local and international level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.
When you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and models.
You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Running one bigger fridge is more efficient than paying for two little ones. Unless you only need the second one at certain times of the year
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine twice is less efficient than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the most efficient water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s three times the capacity you should be using for your home.
Devices reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.