Most appliances look very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy saving and as a result running costs.
Here you will understand everything you need to know about low energy appliances. Discover what energy electricity saving appliances are, how they work, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Elite Honolulu Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
Basically energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Low energy household appliances are created to provide the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced energy usage result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.
Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable devices.
These simple labels can be a handy starting point when deciding if an appliance is energy conserving or not.
Types of Low Energy Appliances
Some different types of electricity efficient household appliances include:
- Fridge-Freezers
- Air Purifiers
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Low Energy Devices work
Electricity saving household appliances work by taking advantage of the best current technology to minimize energy consumption. That might be superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to reduce drying time.
Benefits of Electricity Efficient Devices
Switching to low energy devices is a good idea for multiple reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it uses to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can see a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient devices might have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our exploitation of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Resource Security. With energy costs consistently increasing and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Energy Conserving Appliances Actually Cost Less?
Energy efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and in turn your electricity bills.
How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial difference in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and replacement devices, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.
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 bigger the possible savings. For example substituting an broken, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was made last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the money you save will be much less significant.
You also have to make sure you understand your appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.
How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Planet
Energy efficiency isn’t only about saving you money. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of oil and gas that can be responsible for air pollution and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is responding with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to ensure an quickly detectable way for buyers to choose more sustainable devices.
Rated products must meet both energy consumption and consumer needs in regards to quality and attributes.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base design in their category.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 15% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient would get the symbol. Thus although only looking at products with the star is a simple first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Energy conserving devices really do make a impression at a local and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.
When you are shopping for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast brands and designs.
You’ll also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Having one big fridge requires less energy than having two smaller ones. Unless you only use the second one occasionally
- When choosing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the capacity you require for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the ones that contribute most to your overall energy usage.