Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances appear very similar outwardly but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently operating costs.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about electricity saving devices. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Fox Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of less energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a filament light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only using the washing machine when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are created to provide equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save money. Lower electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less energy than base models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable appliances.

These simple labels can be a great first point of call when deciding if a device is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Household Appliances

Some different types of low energy appliances include:

Refrigerators
Air Conditioners
Water Heaters
Washers
Dishwashers

How Electricity Efficient Devices work

Energy efficient household appliances work by applying the most up to date technology to maximize efficiency. That might mean more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Energy Conserving Goods

Choosing energy efficient appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:

Saving energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less power it uses to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can experience a noticeable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
Saving money. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a more expensive ticket price they will generally save you money over time by cutting your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our daily lives comes from non-renewable resources and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our abuse of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy costs constantly increasing and natural resources continually being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Conserving Devices Actually Cost Less?

Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and therefore your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you notice a noticeable fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and replacement devices, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. In the same way the more energy the device needs to run the bigger the potential savings. For example replacing an worn out, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your home, could make a noticeable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient 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 built in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.

You also have to make sure you understand your appliances energy saving settings to get the best savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.

When comparing new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the top decision for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Environment

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

Human actions have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the consumption of fossil fuels that are likely to be correlated to air quality decline and climate change.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy air conditioners.

What are ENERGY STAR marked Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to provide an readily recognizable way for people to choose more eco-friendly appliances.

Certified appliances must meet both power consumption and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to have the rating, household appliances must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified goods are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 18% less energy might get the symbol. Thus although looking out for the symbol is a great place to start, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for You?

Low energy devices really do make a impact on an individual and international level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to decide between makes and styles.

You may also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.

Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only use the extra one during the holidays
When purchasing a new washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a smaller machine multiple times is less efficient than running a bigger machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will be unable to save you money if it’s two times the size you need for your home.

Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the ones that use the most energy.