Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and therefore running costs.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Discover what energy low energy appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Apex Joliet Appliance Repair

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing a standard bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity saving devices are made to provide the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Less electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are compared to other comparable household appliances.

These simple labels can be a good starting point when figuring out if a device is energy efficient or not.

Types of Energy Conserving Appliances

Some different types of low energy devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Household Appliances work

Low energy devices work by employing the most up to date techniques to maximize efficiency. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Efficient Goods

Switching to electricity saving appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less power it requires . Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although energy-efficient devices may have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity 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. Reducing our use of fossil fuels also preserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With resource prices constantly going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Genuinely Save Money?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and therefore your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a big fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement household appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the appliance uses to run the more significant the likely savings. For example substituting an worn out, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a noticeable difference whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much lower.

You also have to make certain you understand your devices energy saving functions to get the greatest savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When comparing new household appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will ensure you make the best decision for you.

How Low Energy Appliances Help the Environment

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the planet, 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 correlated to air pollution and climate change.

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

What are ENERGY STAR rated Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was created in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for consumers to choose more efficient devices.

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

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard design in their grouping.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient could get the rating. Therefore although looking out for the rating is a simple starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for You?

Electricity efficient appliances really do make a difference at an individual and national level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

If you are shopping for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare makes and designs.

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

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

Running one large fridge requires less energy than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine multiple times will cost more than running a bigger machine for a single run.
Even the best water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace over 10 years old first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.