Many devices appear very similar on the face of it but they can vary completely when it comes to energy economy and consequently operating costs.
In this article you will learn everything you need to know about electricity saving devices. Learn more about what energy electricity saving devices are, what makes them different, the advantages of using them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Lee’s Summit Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a traditional light bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires making use of less energy by requiring a different result. Eg choosing to walk when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy conserving residential and commercial appliance models are engineered to offer equivalent outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Less electricity usage result in lower energy bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many household appliances currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer higher energy efficiency compared to standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances display EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are in comparison to other comparable household appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy place to start when deciding if a device is low energy or not.
Types of Low Energy Devices
Some examples of low energy appliances include:
- Fridges
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washers
- Dishwashers
How Electricity Efficient Devices work
Electricity efficient appliances work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might mean better insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.
Advantages of Energy Conserving Devices
Using electricity efficient appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:
- Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less power it requires to undertake its purpose. Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
- Saving money. Although energy-efficient household appliances are likely to have a bigger initial cost they will generally save you money over time by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we use in our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our abuse of non-renewable resources also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Fuel Security. With fuel costs continually rising and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient appliances makes it easier to meet demand.
Do Energy Efficient Household Appliances Actually Save Money?
Energy conserving appliances save you money by reducing your power consumption and by association your electricity bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a big fall in your household bills will depend on the difference between the old and new appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the appliance you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it uses to run the bigger the likely savings. For example substituting an worn out, wasteful, oversized air conditioner with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the exact size for your space, could make a notable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much lower.
You also have to ensure you understand your appliances efficiency functions to get the greatest savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.
When contrasting new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the running costs will make sure you make the prime decision for you.
How Electricity Efficient Devices Help the Environment
Saving energy isn’t only about reducing your bills. Reducing energy usage also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air pollution and climate change.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is responding with more eco-friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
What are ENERGY STAR rating Devices?
The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to provide an quickly detectable way for people to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.
Certified products must meet both power consumption and consumer needs in regards to performance and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their class.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked products are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 12% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient could get the certification. So although making sure you see the rating is a great starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?
Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and global level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.
Next time you are shopping for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to compare brands and styles.
You might also want to check how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Running one bigger fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only turn on the second one during the holidays
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the amount of washing you tend to do as running a space saving machine multiple times uses more energy than running a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the most efficient boiler will not save you money if it’s three times the size you require for your home.
Appliances use more energy as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the items that use the most energy.