Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances appear very comparable from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and as a result operating expenditure.

Here you will discover all you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Discover what energy low energy appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages 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 Chicago Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient devices are created to provide equivalent results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Reduced electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices available in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable devices.

These simple labels can be a handy place to start when figuring out if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Devices

Some different types of energy efficient appliances include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Air Conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Electricity efficient appliances work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to minimize electricity consumption. That might look like superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Goods

Choosing low energy devices is a good idea for a number of reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can experience a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances might have a bigger initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your utility bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our abuse of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With fuel costs continually rising and natural resources always being used up choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Low Energy Appliances Really Cost Less?

Energy conserving appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and in turn your energy bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a substantial difference in your household bills will depend on the difference between the existing and new appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it uses to run the bigger the potential savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.

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

You also have to make sure you understand your devices efficiency functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the {running costs|ongoing costs|usage costs will help you make the top decision for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Planet

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

The things we do have big effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of non-renewable resources that have been correlated to air quality decline and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient devices.

Certified products must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the rating, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient might get the certification. So although making sure you see the rating is a simple starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a difference at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and designs.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

  • Having one full size fridge requires less energy than running two small ones. Unless you only need the spare one at certain times of the year
  • When buying a new washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine two times is less efficient than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the best water heater will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances