Energy Efficient Appliances

Most devices look very similar on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating costs.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy low energy devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of making the switch and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Prince Appliance Repair in Memphis Tennessee.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Basically energy efficiency is using reduced energy to give the same results. For example, replacing a traditional bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are made to give equivalent results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity requirements result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many appliances currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices have EnergyGuide labels which show how economical they are when looked at next to other similar household appliances.

These ratings can be a good place to start when determining if a device is energy conserving or not.

Types of Energy Efficient Devices

Some examples of energy efficient devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Low Energy Devices work

Electricity efficient household appliances work by applying the latest technology to minimize energy consumption. That might look like better insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Choose Low Energy Devices

Choosing energy conserving appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

Reducing energy. The less energy intensive a device is the less power it requires . Meaning you can experience a big reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances may have a bigger up-front cost they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental advantages. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from fossil fuels and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing our use of natural resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Fuel Security. With energy costs constantly increasing and natural resources constantly being used up choosing energy-efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Low Energy Devices Really Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and by association your utility bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you see a noticeable fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and future appliances, the amount they get used and how long the product lasts.

The older the appliance you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy it needs to run the more significant the potential savings. For example replacing an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the perfect size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your fridge with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was built last century you could gain up to $270 in five years, but if it was made in within the last decade the money you save will be much lower.

You also have to ensure you use your household appliances energy saving functions to get the best savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When examining new devices factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will help you make the best choice for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet

Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the consumption of fossil fuels that appear to be correlated to air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily actions the market is responding with more environmentally friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to ensure an readily recognizable way for consumers to choose more sustainable appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both power performance and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their class.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 15% less energy and one that uses 18% less energy would get the certification. So although looking out for the star is a great starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Low energy household appliances really do make a impression at an individual and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

Next time you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it simpler to decide between makes and models.

You’ll also want to check how much your energy costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

Having one bigger fridge requires less energy than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine think about the size of the drum as running a lower capacity machine two times uses more energy than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
Even the most efficient water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the size you require for your home.

Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.