Most appliances look very similar outwardly but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.
Here you will learn all you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Superior Santa Monica Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is linked to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the washing machine when you have a full load.
Efficiency appliances are engineered to offer the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less energy usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts. You can also purchase and water-saving fixtures from local plumbing services like Rocket Plumbing in Los Angeles for an even more budget-friendly and efficient home.
Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy starting point when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.
Types of Energy Conserving Appliances
Some different types of electricity saving household appliances include:
- Refrigerators
- Air Purifiers
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Saving Household Appliances work
Energy conserving devices work by employing the most up to date techniques to ensure they use as little energy as they can. That might mean better insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.
Advantages of Electricity Saving Appliances
Choosing electricity efficient household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less energy it needs . Meaning you can see a noticeable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient devices are likely to have a bigger up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our wastefulness of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Fuel Security. With resource prices continually rising and natural resources constantly being used up choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Electricity Efficient Devices Really Cost Less?
Low energy appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and by association your electricity bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a substantial difference in your household bills will depend on the difference between the old and new appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.
The older the device you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance requires to run the more significant the likely savings. For example replacing an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a marked difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is only 10% less energy intensive will have a markedly smaller impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was made last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in the last 10 years the savings will be much lower.
You also have to make certain you use your appliances energy saving functions to get the greatest savings. 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 ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the prime choice for you.
How Electricity Saving Appliances Help the Environment
Energy efficiency isn’t only about cutting costs. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
Our 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 burning of non-renewable resources that can be correlated to air pollution and climate change.
As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices the market is replying with more eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?
The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an readily recognizable way for consumers to decide upon more sustainable household appliances.
Certified products must meet both energy performance and consumer requirements in regards to fulfillment and attributes.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to have the rating, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard model in their class.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy could get the certification. So although only looking at products with the rating is a good starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Is an Electricity Efficient Appliance Right for Your Home?
Low energy household appliances really do make a impact on an individual and national level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.
When you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. It shows the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to contrast brands and styles.
You might also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Having one large fridge is more efficient than having two smaller ones. Unless you only use the extra one occasionally
- When buying a replacement washing machine think about the load size as running a smaller machine multiple times 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 size you need for your home.
Devices get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.