Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of devices look very comparable from the outside but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy saving and consequently running costs.

Here you will understand all you need to know about electricity efficient appliances. Discover what energy energy conserving appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Noble Alexandria Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using decreased energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which involves employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient appliances are made to give equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower energy requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity devices.

These ratings can be a great first point of call when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of electricity saving devices include:

Refrigerators
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Energy efficient devices work by taking advantage of the best current technology to maximize efficiency. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Energy Conserving Appliances

Using energy conserving devices makes sense for multiple reasons:

Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it requires to undertake its task. Meaning you can experience a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although more efficient devices may have a bigger up-front cost they will usually save you money over time by cutting your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our exploitation of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Resource Security. With energy costs constantly increasing and natural resources continually being used up choosing more efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Appliances Actually Cost Less?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you notice a big reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and replacement household appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.

The older the device 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 possible savings. I.e substituting an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a marked impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a much less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you understand your appliances efficiency functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will help you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t only about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of fossil fuels that appear to be responsible for air quality decline and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was formed in 1992 to ensure an quickly understandable way for buyers to decide upon more sustainable devices.

Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer expectations 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, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard product in their grouping.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy could get the certification. Thus although making sure you see the star is a simple place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Energy conserving devices really do make a difference at a local and national level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are looking for a new appliance read the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between brands and models.

You’ll also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one full size fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only need the spare one during the holidays
When purchasing a new washing machine think about the load size as running a lower capacity machine two times is less efficient than running a higher capacity machine once.
Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s two times the size you need for your home.

Household appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.