Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and therefore operating expenditure.

Here you can find out all you need to know about electricity saving appliances. Discover what energy efficient devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Noble Norfolk Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your walls so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient household appliances are made to offer the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Reduced energy requirements result in lower energy bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less energy than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are compared to other similar devices.

These simple labels can be a great place to start when determining if a device is electricity efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving household appliances include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Boilers
Washers
Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Electricity efficient appliances work by taking advantage of the best current technology to ensure they use as little electric as they can. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Choose Electricity Saving Devices

Switching to electricity saving appliances makes sense for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can see a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy devices are likely to have a higher up-front cost they will generally save you money over time by cutting your electricity bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from oil and gas and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our abuse of fossil fuels also preserves them for future generations.
Energy Security. With resource costs consistently going up and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient devices will allow our demands to be met for longer.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Really Cost Less?

Energy conserving devices save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and therefore your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a noticeable reduction in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement household appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the device you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device needs to run the bigger the potential savings. For example replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your home, will make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient will have a much smaller impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in the last 10 years the savings will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you use your devices energy saving functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

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

How Energy Efficient Devices Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t all about saving you money. Minimizing energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use 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 decisions the market is reacting with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to provide an easily detectable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient devices.

Rated appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer requirements in regards to quality and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark are different for different types of goods. In order to have the rating, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their class.

However, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a freezer that is 15% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy might get the certification. Therefore although making sure you see the symbol is a simple place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for You?

Electricity saving appliances really do make a impact at a local and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

If you are in the market for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to decide between makes and models.

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

Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:

Paying for one full size fridge is more efficient than having two small ones. Unless you only use the spare one at certain times of the year
When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine two times uses more energy than running a bigger machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will not reduce your bills if it’s two times the size you should be using for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.