Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances appear very similar from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore operating costs.

In this article you will discover everything you need to know about low energy appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy household appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Dynamic Dayton Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of reduced energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent 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 similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving household appliances are made to offer the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less energy usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are compared to other comparable appliances.

These ratings can be a good starting point when figuring out if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some different types of electricity saving appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washers
  • Tumble Dryers

How Energy Efficient Devices work

Energy efficient devices work by utilizing the best current technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might mean better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Benefits of Energy Efficient Goods

Switching to low energy devices is a good idea for multiple reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The more energy-efficient a device is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can gain a dramatic saving in energy without losing any productivity.
  2. Reducing cost. Although more efficient appliances are likely to have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Energy Security. With fuel costs consistently rising and natural resources always being used up choosing less energy intensive devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Energy Conserving Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Electricity saving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and by association your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a big fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and future household appliances, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.

The older the good you are replacing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance needs to run the greater the likely savings. For example substituting an worn out, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive will have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was built 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 less significant.

You also have to make certain you make use of your appliances energy saving settings to get the most significant savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

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

How Low Energy Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the use of non-renewable resources that are likely to be correlated to air quality decline and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Devices?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to allow for an quickly recognizable way for consumers to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.

Certified products must meet both energy performance and consumer needs in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR rating vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, household appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that uses 12% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient could get the rating. Thus although looking out for the star is a great place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy conserving devices really do make a impression at an individual and international level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.

When you are looking for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. It indicates the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to compare brands and styles.

You’ll also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Paying for one bigger fridge is more efficient than having two little ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
  • When purchasing a new washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than turning on a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the most efficient water heater will never save you money if it’s three times the capacity you require for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances