Energy Efficient Appliances

Most appliances look very comparable from the outside but they can vary dramatically when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently running costs.

Here you will discover everything you need to know about low energy appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, how they operate, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact L&G San Diego Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing less energy to give the same results. This could mean, replacing a traditional bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same level of light 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 using less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.

Electricity efficient appliances are designed to offer the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower power requirements result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.

Many household appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are when looked at next to other comparable devices.

These ratings can be a great starting point when deciding if a device is energy efficient or not.

Types of Electricity Saving Devices

Some examples of energy efficient appliances include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Boilers
  • Washing Machines
  • Dishwashers

How Energy Efficient Household Appliances work

Electricity saving devices work by utilizing the most up to date technology to ensure they use as little power as possible. That might be more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Devices

Using electricity efficient appliances is a good idea for many reasons:

  1. Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less energy it uses . Meaning you can experience a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Reducing cost. Although lower energy household appliances might have a bigger up-front cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by cutting your electricity bills.
  3. Environmental advantages. Most of the power we use in our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Lessening our wastefulness of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With energy costs consistently rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing less energy intensive appliances is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Saving Household Appliances Genuinely Reduce Bills?

Energy efficient devices save you money by reducing your energy usage and in turn your energy bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a big fall in your monthly bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and future household appliances, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the good you are replacing is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the appliance uses to run the greater the potential savings. For example replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked difference whereas replacing your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient will have a significantly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made last century you are looking to save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the financial rewards will be much less.

You also have to ensure you use your devices energy saving settings to get the most significant savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When comparing new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will make sure you make the best decision for you.

How Energy Conserving Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. Cutting energy requirements also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have big effects on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the environment through the consumption of non-renewable resources that have been linked to air quality degradation and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily decisions the market is responding 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 certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for buyers to decide upon more efficient household appliances.

Rated appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to fulfillment and features.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their category.

However, not all ENERGY STAR certified appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient might get the symbol. Therefore although making sure you see 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 Right for Your Home?

Low energy appliances really do make a impact at a local and global level, reducing your bills and better use of energy and resources.

When you are in the market for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the cost of electricity an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare makes and styles.

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

Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

  • Paying for one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two little ones. Unless you only turn on the spare one during the holidays
  • When buying a replacement washing machine consider the load size as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the best boiler will never reduce your bills if it’s three times the spec you require for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.

Additional Types of Appliances