Energy Efficient Appliances

The majority of appliances look very similar from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy saving and as a result operating expenditure.

Here you will understand everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits 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 P&G Baltimore Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is using decreased energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent light bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need less heating.

Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves using less energy by changing the outcome. 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.

Electricity saving household appliances are created to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Less energy usage result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many devices currently manufactured in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which advertize how efficient they are compared to other comparable devices.

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

Types of Energy Efficient Appliances

Some different types of energy conserving household appliances include:

  • Fridge-Freezers
  • Air Conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Saving Appliances work

Energy conserving household appliances work by employing the best current techniques to make sure they waste as little power as they can. That might mean superior insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.

Advantages of Energy Conserving Devices

Switching to electricity efficient household appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more energy-efficient an appliance is the less resources it requires to complete its task. Meaning you can experience a sizable reduction in energy consumption without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a bigger initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your energy bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our use of natural resources also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Fuel Security. With resource prices constantly rising and natural resources always depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Appliances Really Save Money?

Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and therefore your electricity bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you notice a big fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the previous and replacement appliances, the amount they get used and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the more significant the likely savings. I.e replacing an broken, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, will make a notable difference whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a significantly smaller impact.

Research suggests that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, but if it was produced in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less significant.

You also have to ensure you understand your devices energy-efficient settings to get the best reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

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

How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Planet

Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy usage also has an environmental impact.

Our actions have massive impacts on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of fossil fuels that have been correlated to air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily actions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our requirements. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Devices?

The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to ensure an quickly detectable way for consumers to choose more eco-friendly household appliances.

Certified products must meet both power performance and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.

The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to have the ENERGY STAR, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their category.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 15% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient could get the rating. Thus although only looking at products with the symbol is a great place to start, it is still worth looking into the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance Right for Your Home?

Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impression on an individual and international level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.

Next time you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This shows the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to contrast brands and models.

You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make accurate comparisons.

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

  • Running one bigger fridge is more efficient than paying for two small ones. Unless you only turn on the extra one at certain times of the year
  • When buying a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine multiple times uses more energy than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
  • Even the best water heater will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you should be using for your home.

Appliances use more energy as they age so replace items that are past their best first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances