Most appliances appear very comparable externally but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating costs.
In this article you can discover everything you need to know about low energy devices. Discover what energy energy conserving appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits 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 Ideal Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED 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 distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy conserving devices are made to offer equivalent outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less power usage result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable appliances.
These ratings can be a great place to start when determining if an appliance is energy conserving or not.
Types of Low Energy Household Appliances
Some examples of energy efficient devices include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Air Conditioners
- Water Heaters
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Energy Efficient Appliances work
Electricity saving devices work by applying the most up to date technology to ensure they waste as little electric as they can. That might be superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.
Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Goods
Switching to low energy devices is a good idea for a number of reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less power it needs . Meaning you can experience a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices may have a more expensive initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from oil and gas and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our wastefulness of fossil fuels also preserves them for future generations.
- Fuel Security. With fuel prices constantly going up and natural resources continually depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Actually Save Money?
Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your energy bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you see a big reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and replacement devices, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the greater the potential savings. For example replacing an broken, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your home, will make a marked impact whereas replacing your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in the last 10 years the money you save will be much lower.
You also have to make certain you use your devices energy saving settings to get the best reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When comparing new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.
How Electricity Saving Appliances Help the Planet
Reducing energy consumption isn’t all about saving you money. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air pollution and global warming.
As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.
What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?
The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for people to decide upon more sustainable devices.
Certified products must meet both energy consumption and consumer requirements in regards to performance and features.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, devices are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their class.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient might get the certification. Therefore although looking out for the star is a good first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.
Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for Your Home?
Low energy appliances really do make a difference on an individual and international level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.
Next time you are in the market for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to decide between makes and styles.
You might also want to check how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than running two small ones. Unless you only need the extra one at certain times of the year
- When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a space saving machine twice uses more energy than running a higher capacity machine once.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will not reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you need for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that use the most energy.