Many appliances appear very similar outwardly but they can vary completely when it comes to energy efficiency and therefore running costs.
In this article you can learn everything you need to know about energy efficient appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the investment. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Rapid Riverside Appliance Repair.
Put simply energy efficiency is employing decreased energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy fluorescent 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 requires making use of less energy by adjusting behaviors or habits. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or just using the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Energy efficient household appliances are made to provide the same results in a more efficient way allowing you to save energy. Lower energy usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less energy than lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how efficient they are compared to other comparable household appliances.
These ratings can be a great first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is electricity saving or not.
Some examples of electricity efficient devices include:
Low energy devices work by taking advantage of the best current technology to minimize electricity consumption. That might look like superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to minimize drying time.
Choosing energy conserving devices is a good idea for many reasons:
Electricity saving household appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and by association your energy bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you notice a big fall in your monthly bills will depend on the difference between the old and replacement devices, the degree of use and the lifespan of the product.
The older the device you are upgrading is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy it uses to run the greater the potential savings. For example replacing an broken, inefficient, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR rated one that is the perfect size for your home, could make a noticeable impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a much smaller impact.
Studies suggest that if your fridge was made last century you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the savings will be much less significant.
You also have to make certain you make use of your household appliances energy saving 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 contrasting new appliances factoring in both the purchase price and the running costs will make sure you make the best choice for you.
Energy efficiency isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have big impacts on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the environment through the use of oil and gas that have been correlated to air quality degradation and climate change.
As we become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily decisions the market is replying with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy air conditioners.
The ENERGY STAR certification was created in 1992 to ensure an easily understandable way for buyers to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.
Certified products must meet both energy efficiency and consumer needs in regards to fulfillment and features.
The requirements for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to have the star mark, devices must be a minimum percentage more efficient than the base design in their grouping.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a fridge that uses 10% less energy and one that is 18% more efficient might get the rating. Thus although making sure you see the rating is a good first step, it is still worth looking into the actual figures before making your final choice.
Electricity efficient household appliances really do make a difference at an individual and global level, saving you money over time and better use of energy and resources.
If you are shopping for a new appliance have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to compare makes and models.
You may also want to know how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to home appliances. For example:
Appliances get less efficient as they age so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.
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