Many household appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result operating costs.
In this article you can discover all you need to know about low energy household appliances. Discover what energy low energy appliances are, how they work, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Houston Appliance Repair NOW.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which involves employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Low energy household appliances are designed to provide equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Many appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to standard models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are when looked at next to other similar appliances.
These ratings can be a handy first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is electricity saving or not.
Types of Electricity Saving Household Appliances
Some examples of energy conserving household appliances include:
- Refrigerators
- Air Purifiers
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Efficient Appliances work
Low energy household appliances work by taking advantage of the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might be better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.
Benefits of Low Energy Devices
Switching to energy conserving devices makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can gain a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances may have a more expensive ticket price they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your utility bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our exploitation of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Energy Security. With resource costs consistently going up and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Energy Efficient Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?
Energy conserving household appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your utility bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable fall in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new devices, how much you use them and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy it uses to run the more significant the potential savings. I.e substituting an broken, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly smaller impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less significant.
You also have to make sure you understand your household appliances efficiency settings to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.
When examining new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will make sure you make the best decision for you.
How Electricity Saving Household Appliances Help the Planet
Saving energy isn’t just about cutting costs. Reducing energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the consumption of non-renewable resources that appear to be responsible for air quality decline and global warming.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for consumers to decide upon more eco-friendly appliances.
Rated appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer needs in regards to quality and features.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the rating, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base model in their category.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient would get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the rating is a good first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for Your Home?
Low energy devices really do make a difference at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.
When you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it easier to contrast makes and models.
You might also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Having one bigger fridge is more efficient than running two smaller ones. Unless you only need the extra one occasionally
- When purchasing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a space saving machine twice uses more energy than using a bigger machine for a single run.
- Even the best water heater will never save you money if it’s three times the size you should be using for your home.
Appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.
