Many devices look very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.
In this article you will learn everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient appliances are, how they operate, the advantages of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact ARC Appliance Repair.
Put simply energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same illumination or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is similar to but different from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. Eg opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Electricity saving devices are engineered to give the same results using less energy allowing you to save money. Reduced power usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many household appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less energy than standard models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which advertize how economical they are when looked at next to other similar devices.
These ratings can be a good place to start when deciding if a device is energy conserving or not.
Some different types of energy conserving devices include:
Electricity efficient devices work by employing the best current technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might look like better insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to reduce drying time.
Using energy conserving devices makes sense for many reasons:
Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your electricity consumption and in turn your energy bills.
How much you save and whether or not you notice a substantial fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the old and future household appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the device you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the device needs to run the more significant the likely savings. For example replacing an old, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your space, will make a noticeable impact whereas uprating your fridge with one that is just 10% more efficient will have a markedly less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was built in the 1990’s you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was built in the last 10 years the money you save will be much less.
You also have to make certain you understand your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the best savings. For example, there is no point having super energy efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When comparing new household appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will help you make the best decision for you.
Saving energy isn’t just about saving you money. Reducing energy requirements also has an environmental impact.
Our actions have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the burning of non-renewable resources that have been correlated to air quality decline and global warming.
As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is reacting with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy dehumidifiers.
The ENERGY STAR rating was formed in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for people to opt-for more sustainable appliances.
Rated appliances must meet both energy efficiency and consumer needs in regards to quality and attributes.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary between different appliances. In order to have the rating, appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their category.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a washing machine that uses 10% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient would get the rating. Thus although looking out for the symbol is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Electricity saving appliances really do make a impact at a local and global level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.
When you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. It shows the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to contrast makes and styles.
You’ll also want to check how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size makes a difference when it comes to home appliances. For example:
Household appliances use more energy as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.
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