Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances appear very comparable externally but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and as a result operating costs.

Here you will learn everything you need to know about energy efficient devices. Discover what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, how they operate, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact C&L Fort Lauderdale Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to gain the same outcome. This could mean, replacing a standard bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your roof so you need to turn the heating on less often.

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 cycle when you might normally have used the car or just running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving appliances are designed to provide the same outcomes in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower power requirements result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many appliances for sale in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer superior energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are compared to other equal capacity household appliances.

These simple labels can be a handy starting point when determining if a device is low energy or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of energy efficient appliances include:

  • Refrigerators
  • Air Purifiers
  • Water Heaters
  • Washing Machines
  • Tumble Dryers

How Electricity Efficient Appliances work

Energy efficient household appliances work by applying the latest techniques to maximize efficiency. That might look like superior insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to limit drying time.

Advantages of Energy Conserving Devices

Choosing low energy appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

  1. Reducing energy. The less energy intensive an appliance is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can see a big saving in energy without having to change your habits.
  2. Saving money. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a bigger ticket price they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
  3. Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our homes comes from non-renewable resources and results in Carbon Dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere. Reducing our use of fossil fuels also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
  4. Resource Security. With fuel costs consistently going up and natural resources always depleting choosing more efficient household appliances makes it easier to meet demand.

Do Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Really Save Money?

Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and therefore your electricity bills.

The amount you save and whether or not you enjoy a big difference in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the previous and new devices, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the appliance needs to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an broken, inefficient, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the correct size for your space, could make a noticeable difference whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is just 10% more efficient is likely to have a markedly less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.

You also have to make sure you make use of your household appliances energy saving settings to get the greatest savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the ongoing costs will ensure you make the top choice for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t only about cutting costs. Minimizing energy usage also has a sustainability impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the consumption of fossil fuels that appear to be responsible for air pollution and global warming.

As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is replying with more eco-friendly solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable coffee cups or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to provide an quickly understandable way for buyers to decide upon more efficient devices.

Certified appliances must meet both power efficiency and consumer needs 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 star mark, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage more efficient than the standard design in their class.

As a result, not all ENERGY STAR marked appliances are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that is 10% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient would get the symbol. So although only looking at products with the rating is a simple starting point, it is still worth checking the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.

Is an Energy Efficient Appliance the Best Choice for You?

Low energy household appliances really do make a impression at a local and international level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast brands and designs.

You might also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make more personalized comparisons.

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

  • Paying for one full size fridge is more efficient than paying for two smaller ones. Unless you only turn on the second one at certain times of the year
  • When choosing a replacement washing machine consider the size of the drum as running a smaller machine twice will cost more than using a higher capacity machine for a single run.
  • Even the lowest energy water heater will be unable to reduce your bills if it’s two times the capacity you need for your home.

Appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.

Additional Types of Appliances