Most devices appear very comparable externally but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and as a result running expenditure.
In this article you will understand everything you need to know about energy conserving devices. Discover what energy energy conserving household appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact United Lynn Appliance Repair.
What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?
In simple terms energy efficiency is using less energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a more efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which involves using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Energy conserving household appliances are made to give the same results with lower energy requirements allowing you to save money. Lower electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many devices for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how efficient they are compared to other comparable devices.
These simple labels can be a good first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is electricity saving or not.
Types of Energy Conserving Devices
Some examples of electricity efficient devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Air Conditioners
- Boilers
- Washers
- Dishwashers
How Low Energy Appliances work
Electricity saving appliances work by utilizing the best current technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might look like more advanced insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.
Benefits of Electricity Efficient Appliances
Choosing electricity saving devices is a good idea for many reasons:
- Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less energy it needs . Meaning you can experience a sizable saving in energy without losing any productivity.
- Saving money. Although more efficient household appliances might have a bigger up-front cost they will generally save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
- Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our use of natural resources also conserves them for future generations.
- Resource Security. With resource prices consistently going up and natural resources always being used up choosing energy-efficient devices is a more sustainable option.
Do Energy Conserving Household Appliances Actually Save Money?
Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and therefore your utility bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you see a big fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the existing and replacement devices, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the appliance you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy it needs to run the greater the likely savings. I.e substituting an old, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, will make a noticeable impact whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a markedly smaller impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was made over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, but if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.
You also have to make certain you make use of your household appliances energy-efficient functions to get the greatest reductions. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will help you make the prime decision for you.
How Low Energy Devices Help the Environment
Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have massive impacts on the environment, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of non-renewable resources that have been correlated to air quality degradation and global warming.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental cost 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 refrigerators.
What are ENERGY STAR marked Devices?
The ENERGY STAR certification was started in 1992 to allow for an easily understandable way for people to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.
Rated products must meet both power performance 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 be awarded the ENERGY STAR, appliances are required to be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard design in their class.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 12% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient might get the symbol. Therefore although looking out for the rating is a good starting point, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for You?
Electricity saving household appliances really do make a impact at a local and global level, saving you money over time and more resources to go around.
When you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to compare brands and models.
You might also want to know how much your energy costs you so you can make better comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:
- Running one full size fridge requires less energy than having two smaller ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a space saving machine twice is less efficient than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
- Even the lowest energy water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the spec you should be using for your home.
Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you are able to, focus on the ones that use the most energy.