Energy Efficient Appliances

Many household appliances look very similar on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and consequently running expenditure.

In this article you can understand all you need to know about electricity saving appliances. Discover what energy energy conserving devices are, what makes them different, the benefits of choosing them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Capital Appliance Repair. We are the appliance repair Madison WI service customers in Dane County can trust!

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

In simple terms energy efficiency is making use of less energy to gain the same outcome. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a more efficient LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is related to but distinct from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or just putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Energy conserving devices are designed to offer the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower energy usage result in lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Many appliances available in the United States are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less power than lower efficiency models, typically ranging from 10-50%. Most devices also have EnergyGuide labels which display how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity appliances.

These simple labels can be a great first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is low energy or not.

Types of Electricity Efficient Appliances

Some examples of electricity saving devices include:

Refrigerators
Air Conditioners
Boilers
Washing Machines
Dishwashers

How Energy Conserving Devices work

Energy conserving household appliances work by taking advantage of the best current techniques to maximize efficiency. That might be more advanced insulation in freezers, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to reduce drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Electricity Efficient Goods

Choosing electricity saving household appliances is a good idea for a number of reasons:

Reducing energy. The more economical an appliance is the less power it uses . Meaning you can experience a dramatic reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although lower energy appliances are likely to have a higher initial cost they will inevitably save you money over time by reducing your energy bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the power we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our use of natural resources also conserves them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With energy prices continually going up and natural resources continually being used up choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Energy Efficient Devices Genuinely Cost Less?

Electricity saving appliances save you money by reducing your electricity usage and in turn your utility bills.

The extent to which you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the existing and new appliances, the intensity of use and how long the product lasts before it needs appliance repairs from a local service.

The older the device you are changing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Similarly the more energy it requires to run the greater the likely savings. I.e replacing an old, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR rated one that is the exact size for your space, will make a marked impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much smaller impact.

Studies suggest that if your fridge was produced last century you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was made in the last 10 years the financial rewards will be much lower.

You also have to make sure you use your devices energy saving functions to get the most significant reductions. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.

When examining new household appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the usage costs will help you make the prime decision for you.

How Low Energy Household Appliances Help the Planet

Energy efficiency isn’t all about reducing your bills. Cutting energy requirements also has a sustainability impact.

Human actions have massive effects on the planet, one of the most prevalent of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the air through the burning of fossil fuels that have been linked to air pollution and global warming.

As the general population become more aware of the environmental effect of our daily choices the market is replying with more environmentally friendly solutions to our requirements. Whether that is electric cars or in this case low energy refrigerators.

What are ENERGY STAR certified Devices?

The ENERGY STAR symbol was started in 1992 to ensure an readily understandable way for consumers to opt-for more efficient devices.

Certified products must meet both energy consumption and consumer expectations in regards to performance and attributes.

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification are different for different types of goods. In order to gain the rating, devices are required to be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the base product in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR rated products are equal in terms of efficiency. I.e a washing machine that is 10% more efficient and one that is 20% more efficient would get the rating. So although making sure you see the symbol is a good place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual figures before making your final choice.

Is an Low Energy Appliance Right for You?

Energy conserving appliances really do make a difference at a local and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.

When you are shopping for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label indicates the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it simpler to compare makes and models.

You’ll also want to make a note of how much you spend on your energy so you can make better comparisons.

Size makes a difference when it comes to appliances. For example:

Having one big fridge is more efficient than having two smaller ones. Unless you only use the second one at certain times of the year
When choosing a new washing machine think about the load size as running a space saving machine two times will cost more than turning on a higher capacity machine once.
Even the most efficient boiler will not save you money if it’s four times the spec you require for your home.

Devices get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace items that are past their best first or consult Capital Appliance Repair for the best course of action concerning the appliance. If you have the funds available, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage in terms of what to replace with an energy efficient appliance for your home.