Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances appear very comparable from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating expenditure.

Here you can understand all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Learn more about what energy efficient household 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 Gold Glendale Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using decreased energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Low energy appliances are designed to give the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable household appliances.

These ratings can be a good starting point when determining if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Appliances

Some examples of electricity efficient devices include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Air Conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Energy efficient appliances work by applying the latest technology to minimize energy consumption. That might mean more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Efficient Devices

Using energy efficient household appliances makes sense for multiple reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less power it needs . Meaning you can see a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
  2. Saving money. Although lower energy appliances might have a more expensive initial cost they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also keeps them for future generations.
  4. Fuel Security. With energy prices consistently increasing and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Really Reduce Bills?

Low energy household appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and by association your energy bills.

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

The older the device you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it requires to run the more significant the likely savings. I.e substituting an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your space, will make a notable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to ensure you understand your household appliances efficiency settings to get the most significant savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When examining new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will help you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

Our actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of oil and gas that can be linked to air quality degradation and climate change.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR rating Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for buyers to decide upon more eco-friendly appliances.

Certified products must meet both power efficiency and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the ENERGY STAR, devices must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard model in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the certification. Thus although making sure you see the star is a good place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a difference at a local and international level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

When you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to contrast brands and designs.

You might also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:

  • Paying for one large fridge requires less energy than paying for two small ones. Unless you only need the second one during the holidays
  • When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than running a bigger machine for a single run.
  • Even the most efficient water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the spec you require for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances

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