Energy Efficient Appliances
The majority of household appliances look very comparable outwardly but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and as a result running costs.
Here you can discover all you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Discover what energy efficient household appliances are, how they operate, the advantages of using them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Anytime Arlington Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a traditional bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your roof so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy efficient household appliances are engineered to offer equivalent results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Reduced energy usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many household appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which demonstrate how economical they are compared to other equal capacity devices.
These simple labels can be a handy starting point when deciding if an appliance is low energy or not.
Types of Low Energy Household Appliances
Some examples of electricity saving devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Energy Conserving Appliances work
Electricity saving appliances work by employing the most up to date technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.
Advantages of Energy Efficient Devices
Switching to electricity efficient household appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances might have a higher initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our exploitation of fossil fuels also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Resource Security. With fuel prices continually increasing and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Low Energy Household Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?
Energy conserving appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and in turn your utility bills.
How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a substantial fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and future appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the device you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy it requires to run the greater the likely savings. For example substituting an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, will make a marked impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was built last century you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.
You also have to ensure you understand your devices energy saving 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 examining new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the best choice for you.
How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment
Saving energy isn’t all about reducing your bills. Reducing energy usage also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have big impacts on the environment, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of fossil fuels that can be correlated to air pollution and global warming.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy air conditioners.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?
The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to allow for an easily detectable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable devices.
Rated appliances must meet both power performance and consumer needs in regards to performance and attributes.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to be awarded the rating, household appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base product in their class.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy would get the symbol. Thus although only looking at products with the rating is a great place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?
Electricity saving appliances really do make a impression on an individual and international level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.
Next time you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and designs.
You may also want to make a note of how much your energy costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Running one full size fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine two times is less efficient than running a higher capacity machine once.
- Even the best boiler will not save you money if it’s four times the capacity you need for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.
Additional Types of Appliances
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