Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices look very comparable externally but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating costs.

Here you can learn everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of choosing them and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Sullivan’s Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of less energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a filament light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Low energy devices are designed to provide the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower power requirements result in lower utility bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are in comparison to other comparable appliances.

These simple labels can be a great starting point when deciding if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Devices

Some different types of low energy appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washers
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Electricity efficient appliances work by taking advantage of the latest technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Low Energy Devices

Using electricity efficient appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less power it uses to complete its purpose. Meaning you can gain a sizable saving in energy without having to change your habits.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances might have a bigger up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our wastefulness of fossil fuels also conserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With energy prices consistently rising and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Really Save Money?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and new devices, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the appliance needs to run the bigger the likely savings. I.e substituting an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in within the last decade the savings will be much less.

You also have to ensure you use your household appliances energy-efficient functions 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 contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Low Energy Devices Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t only about cutting costs. Reducing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the consumption of oil and gas that appear to be correlated to air quality decline and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to allow for an quickly detectable way for people to opt-for more sustainable appliances.

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

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the rating, devices must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a fridge that is 15% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the symbol. Thus although making sure you see the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for You?

Electricity efficient devices really do make a impact at an individual and global level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

When you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to contrast brands and designs.

You might also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one full size fridge requires less energy than running two smaller ones. Unless you only use the second one during the holidays
When choosing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine two times uses more energy than turning on a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.

Devices use more energy as they get older so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.