Most devices appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating expenditure.
Here you will understand all you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Learn more about what energy low energy appliances are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Pride Vacaville Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing a standard light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which involves using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy efficient appliances are designed to provide the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less energy usage result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower rated models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how efficient they are compared to other equal capacity appliances.
These simple labels can be a good starting point when deciding if a device is electricity efficient or not.
Types of Energy Conserving Household Appliances
Some examples of electricity saving devices include:
- Fridges
- Air Conditioners
- Water Heaters
- Washers
- Dishwashers
How Low Energy Devices work
Low energy household appliances work by employing the latest technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Electricity Saving Goods
Choosing electricity saving devices makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less resources it requires . Meaning you can gain a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices might have a bigger initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our exploitation of natural resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Fuel Security. With energy costs consistently increasing and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient household appliances is a more sustainable option.
Do Electricity Saving Appliances Actually Save Money?
Electricity saving devices save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your electricity bills.
How much you save and whether or not you notice a substantial reduction in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.
The older the good you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it uses to run the bigger the possible savings. For example substituting an old, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.
You also have to ensure you understand your household appliances energy-efficient settings 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 contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will help you make the prime choice for you.
How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet
Energy efficiency isn’t all about cutting costs. Minimizing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the burning of non-renewable resources that are likely to be correlated to air pollution and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR rating was started in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for people to choose more sustainable household appliances.
Rated products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and features.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base product in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that is 10% more efficient and one that uses 20% less energy could get the rating. So although making sure you see the star is a good first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?
Energy efficient household appliances really do make a impact at a local and global level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.
When you are looking for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it more straight forward to compare brands and designs.
You’ll also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a space saving machine two times uses more energy than running a bigger machine once.
- Even the best water heater will not save you money if it’s two times the spec you should be using for your home.
Devices reduce in efficiency as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the items that use the most energy.