The majority of household appliances look very similar from the outside but they can vary significantly when it comes to energy efficiency and consequently running costs.
In this article you will learn everything you need to know about energy conserving appliances. Learn more about what energy electricity efficient devices 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 Eastvale Appliance Repair.
Basically energy efficiency is making use of less energy to perform the same function. This could mean, replacing a standard bulb with a lower energy fluorescent bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but not the same as energy conservation which requires using less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Energy conserving appliances are designed to provide equivalent results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower power usage result in lower utility bills and less use of fossil fuels.
Many appliances for sale in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower efficiency models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most devices display EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are compared to other similar devices.
These simple labels can be a handy starting point when determining if an appliance is electricity saving or not.
Some examples of electricity saving devices include:
Electricity saving devices work by applying the latest techniques to minimize energy consumption. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to limit drying time.
Switching to energy efficient household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:
Energy efficient appliances save you money by reducing your energy usage and therefore your utility bills.
The extent to which you save and whether or not you see a big difference in your annual bills will depend on the difference between the existing and future devices, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the good you are changing is the more you are likely to save. Likewise the more energy the appliance needs to run the more significant the potential savings. For example substituting an broken, wasteful, overcapacity air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the correct size for your space, could make a notable difference whereas upgrading your fridge with one that is only 10% more efficient is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was produced last century you are looking to 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 ensure you make use of your household appliances energy-efficient settings to get the best reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When comparing new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will ensure you make the top decision for you.
Saving energy isn’t only about saving you money. Reducing energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.
Human actions have irreversible effects on the natural world, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the burning of non-renewable resources that appear to be responsible for air quality degradation and global warming.
As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily actions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our problems. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy washing machines.
The ENERGY STAR mark was started in 1992 to ensure an quickly recognizable way for buyers to opt-for more efficient devices.
Rated appliances must meet both energy consumption and consumer needs in regards to quality and attributes.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the star mark, devices must be at least a certain percentage more efficient than the standard product in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. I.e a freezer that uses 15% less energy and one that is 20% more efficient could get the symbol. Thus although only looking at products with the star is a great first step, it is still worth checking the actual energy savings before making your final choice.
Low energy devices really do make a difference at a local and global level, reducing your bills and more resources to go around.
If you are shopping for a new device have a look at the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the amount of energy an appliance needs and makes it easier to compare makes and models.
You might also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to home appliances. For example:
Household appliances reduce in efficiency as they get older so replace older items first and if you have the funds available, focus on the items that use the most energy.
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