Energy Efficient Appliances

Many devices appear very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result running expenditure.

In this article you can understand all you need to know about electricity saving devices. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of choosing them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Prime Provo Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using lower energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing a standard light bulb with a more 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 not the same as energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Low energy household appliances are created to offer the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Lower energy usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are compared to other equal capacity household appliances.

These ratings can be a great place to start when figuring out if an appliance is electricity saving or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances

Some different types of low energy appliances include:

  • Fridges
  • Air Purifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washers
  • Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Energy efficient household appliances work by taking advantage of the most up to date techniques to make sure they use as little power as they can. That might mean more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Goods

Switching to low energy appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less energy it needs to undertake its task. Meaning you can gain a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices might have a higher up-front cost they will usually save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our use of fossil fuels also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With energy prices consistently going up and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?

Energy efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a substantial difference in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement devices, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device uses to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, will make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you use your devices energy saving functions 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 appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of oil and gas that are likely to be responsible for air pollution and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for people to opt-for more eco-friendly appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power performance and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and features.

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

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that is 18% more efficient could get the symbol. Thus although making sure you see the symbol is a great starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Energy efficient appliances really do make a impact at an individual and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to decide between makes and models.

You’ll 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:

  • Paying for one bigger fridge requires less energy than running two little ones. Unless you only use the second one during the holidays
  • When choosing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine twice is less efficient than running a bigger machine once.
  • Even the best water heater will not save you money if it’s two times the capacity you need for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances