Most household appliances look very similar in appearance, but may differ in terms of energy savings and associated operating costs.
Here you can find out everything you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Find out what low-power appliances are, how they work, the benefits of using them, and when you should make the investment. If you have questions about energy efficient appliances and other home appliances, you can always contact your local West Covina Appliance Service.
What is an Energy Efficient Home Appliance?
To put it simply, energy efficiency is about getting the same results with less energy consumed. For example, replace a traditional light bulb with an energy-efficient fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light, or insulate your ceiling so you don’t need to heat as much.
Energy efficiency is similar but different from energy conservation, which requires less energy consumption and demands a different result. For example, riding a bike when you would normally have been able to use the car, or simply turning on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Energy efficient devices are designed to deliver equivalent results while using less energy, saving you money. Reduced energy consumption results in lower energy bills and less environmental impact.
Many household units sold in the USA are ENERGY STAR qualified, which means they offer better energy efficiency than base models, which typically range from 10% to 50%. Most devices have “EnergyGuide” labels showing how economical they are compared to other devices of the same capacity.
These simple labels can be a useful starting point for deciding whether or not an appliance is energy efficient.
Types of Low Energy Household Appliances
Some examples of electricity saving devices include:
- Refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
How Energy Conserving Appliances work
Power saving appliances use the latest technology to minimize power consumption. That could mean better insulation in refrigerators, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to speed up drying time.
Advantages of Energy Efficient Devices
Switching to electricity efficient household appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:
- Saving energy. The more efficient a device is the less energy it requires . Meaning you can see a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
- Reducing cost. Although more efficient household appliances might have a higher initial cost they will inevitably save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity bills.
- Environmental benefits. Most of the energy we need for our homes comes from fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening our exploitation of fossil fuels also preserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
- Resource Security. With fuel prices continually increasing and natural resources constantly depleting choosing energy-efficient appliances will allow our demands to be met for longer.
Do Low Energy Household Appliances Genuinely Cost Less?
Energy-efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy consumption and in turn your electricity bills.
How much you save and whether or not you benefit from a significant reduction in your household bill depends on the relative efficiency of existing and future appliances, usage intensity and product lifespan.
The older the device you are upgrading, the more likely you are to save. The more energy required to operate, the greater the potential savings. For example, replacing an oversized, inefficient, worn-out air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR qualified replacement air conditioner that is custom-made for your home will have a noticeable impact while upgrading your refrigerator, likely only 10% more efficient, with a significantly less noticeable impact.
Studies suggest that you could save up to $270 in five years if your fridge was built in the last century, but if it was built in the last decade, you will save a lot less money.
You should also familiarize yourself with the energy-saving features of your appliances in order to achieve the greatest possible savings. For example, there is no point in having a super energy-efficient machine if you always wash at high temperatures.
When you are looking at new equipment, you are sure to make the best decision for considering both the purchase price and the running costs.
How Electricity Efficient Household Appliances Help the Environment
Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Reducing energy consumption also has an impact on the environment.
The things we do have a huge impact on the environment, one of the most obvious is the release of greenhouse gases into the air from fossil fuel consumption, which can be correlated to air pollution and global warming.
As more of us become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily choices, the market responds with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether electric cars or, in this case, low-consumption air conditioning systems.
What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?
The ENERGY STAR symbol was created in 1992 to enable consumers to make choices about more sustainable appliances in an easily recognizable way.
Rated appliances must meet energy efficiency and consumer demands for performance and features.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR mark vary for different product types. In order to receive the award, appliances must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the base product in their class.
This means that not all ENERGY STAR qualified products are created equal when it comes to efficiency. That means a fridge that is 12% more efficient and uses 18% less energy would get the symbol. So while just looking at the products with the rating is a good start, it’s still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final decision.
Is an Electricity Saving Appliance Right for Your Home?
Electricity saving appliances really do make a impression on an individual and international level, saving you money over time and conserving both energy and resources.
Next time you are shopping for a new appliance check the Energy Guide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to contrast brands and designs.
You may also want to make a note of how much your energy costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:
- Running one full size fridge is more efficient than running two little ones. Unless you only use the spare one occasionally
- When purchasing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a smaller machine two times is less efficient than running a higher capacity machine once.
- Even the best boiler will not save you money if it’s four times the capacity you need for your home.
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they age so replace older items first and if you are able to, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.