Most household appliances appear very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and consequently operating costs.
In this article you can find out all you need to know about low energy household appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices are, how they work, the benefits of making the switch and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Old Town Orange Appliance Repair.
Put simply energy efficiency is using less energy to provide the same function. For example, replacing a traditional bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires using less energy by adjusting behaviours or habits. For example, choosing to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Energy efficient household appliances are engineered to offer the same outcomes with lower energy requirements allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity requirements result in lower electricity bills and less environmental impact.
Many household appliances available in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer use less power than base models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances have EnergyGuide labels which display how efficient they are in comparison to other similar household appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy place to start when deciding if a device is low energy or not.
Some different types of low energy household appliances include:
Electricity efficient devices work by employing the best current technology to minimize energy consumption. That might mean more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.
Switching to energy conserving household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:
Electricity efficient appliances save you money by reducing your power usage and in turn your electricity bills.
How much you save and whether or not you notice a big fall in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and future household appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the good you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy the device uses to run the greater the possible savings. I.e substituting an old, wasteful, oversized air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the perfect size for your space, will make a noticeable difference whereas replacing your fridge with one that is only 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 gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in within the last decade the savings will be much less significant.
You also have to ensure you use your appliances energy saving settings to get the greatest reductions. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.
When contrasting new devices factoring in both the ticket price and the running costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.
Energy efficiency isn’t all about reducing your bills. Minimizing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.
Human actions have irreversible impacts on the planet, one of the most obvious of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the use of oil and gas that can be linked to air pollution and climate change.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.
The ENERGY STAR mark was formed in 1992 to allow for an easily detectable way for people to decide upon more eco-friendly devices.
Certified products must meet both energy performance and consumer expectations in regards to performance and features.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR certification change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the rating, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard product in their class.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated appliances are equal in terms of efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient would get the symbol. Therefore although looking out for the symbol is a great first step, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before making your final choice.
Energy conserving household appliances really do make a impact at a local and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and better use of energy and resources.
If you are shopping for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the cost of electricity an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to compare brands and designs.
You may 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:
Devices reduce in efficiency as they deteriorate so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.
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