Energy Efficient Appliances

Most household appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result running costs.

Here you can discover all you need to know about energy efficient devices. Learn more about what energy low energy devices are, how they work, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact P&G Coral Springs Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using decreased energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is linked to but different from energy conservation which requires 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 saving household appliances are engineered to provide the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are compared to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a good place to start when determining if an appliance is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of energy efficient household appliances include:

  • Fridges
  • Air Purifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Electricity efficient household appliances work by utilizing the latest technology to minimize energy consumption. That might be better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Benefits of Energy Conserving Goods

Switching to electricity efficient devices is a good idea for many reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it uses . Meaning you can experience a noticeable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
  2. Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient household appliances might have a higher initial cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our abuse of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With resource costs constantly rising and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient household appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Efficient Household Appliances Really Cost Less?

Energy efficient household appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your electricity bills.

How much you save and whether or not you see a big reduction in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and new appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device needs to run the greater the likely savings. I.e substituting an old, wasteful, too big air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, could make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was produced last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you understand your devices energy-efficient settings to get the most significant reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When comparing new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will make sure you make the top choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have big effects on the planet, one of the most pressing of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the burning of non-renewable resources that can be correlated to air quality decline and climate change.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to provide an readily recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable household appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer needs in regards to performance and attributes.

The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the star mark, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their grouping.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient could get the certification. Thus although only looking at products with the rating is a great first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a difference at a local and global level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the cost of energy an appliance needs and makes it more straight forward to compare brands and models.

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

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

  • Having one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only need the second one at certain times of the year
  • When purchasing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a bigger machine once.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s four times the capacity you require for your home.

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

Additional Types of Appliances