Many devices appear very similar from the outside but they can vary completely when it comes to energy saving and therefore running costs.
In this article you can learn everything you need to know about energy efficient household appliances. Discover what energy electricity efficient appliances are, how they work, the benefits of paying that little bit extra and when you should make the change. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact La Mesa Appliance Repair.
Put simply energy efficiency is making use of lower energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with a lower energy LED bulb that produces the same amount of light or insulating your walls so you need less heating.
Energy efficiency is similar to but distinct from energy conservation which involves employing less energy by changing the outcome. Eg choosing to take the bus when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the dishwasher when you have a full load.
Low energy household appliances are designed to provide the same results using less energy allowing you to save energy. Lower electricity usage result in lower utility bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many devices currently manufactured in the USA are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they offer use less power than standard models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most household appliances also have EnergyGuide labels which advertise how economical they are when looked at next to other equal capacity devices.
These simple labels can be a handy place to start when deciding if an appliance is low energy or not.
Some examples of energy efficient appliances include:
Low energy devices work by taking advantage of the latest techniques to ensure they use as little energy as they can. That might mean more advanced insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in dryers to minimize drying time.
Using energy conserving household appliances is a good idea for multiple reasons:
Electricity saving devices save you money by reducing your electricity usage and in turn your electricity bills.
The amount you save and whether or not you see a noticeable difference in your household bills will depend on the difference between the existing and future household appliances, how much you use them and how long the product lasts.
The older the appliance you are replacing is the more significant the difference you are likely to see. Likewise the more energy the appliance requires to run the more significant the likely savings. For example substituting an broken, inefficient, too big air conditioning unit with a replacement ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, will make a notable impact whereas uprating your dishwasher with one that is merely 10% more efficient is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.
Reports suggest that if your fridge was made in the 1990’s you could gain up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in the last 10 years the money you save will be much lower.
You also have to make certain you make use of your appliances energy-efficient functions to get the most significant savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the upfront price and the ongoing costs will make sure you make the prime decision for you.
Reducing energy consumption isn’t just about reducing your bills. Cutting energy consumption also has a sustainability impact.
Our actions have irreversible impacts on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the consumption of fossil fuels that can be linked to air quality degradation and global warming.
As more and more of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is responding with less wasteful solutions to our needs. Whether that is cheaper solar panels or in this case low energy refrigerators.
The ENERGY STAR certification was formed in 1992 to allow for an readily detectable way for people to choose more eco-friendly appliances.
Rated appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer expectations in regards to quality and features.
The qualifications for the ENERGY STAR rating change according to the device being tested. In order to gain the star mark, household appliances are required to be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the base model in their grouping.
As a result, not all ENERGY STAR rated goods are the same in terms of efficiency. For example a freezer that uses 10% less energy and one that is 22% more efficient would get the certification. So although making sure you see the symbol is a good place to start, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before picking the best one for you.
Energy conserving devices really do make a impact at an individual and international level, meaning more money in your pocket and conserving both energy and resources.
If you are looking for a new device read the EnergyGuide label. This label tells you the cost of electricity an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast brands and styles.
You might also want to make a note of how much your electricity costs you so you can make more personalized comparisons.
Size counts when it comes to appliances. For example:
Household appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you can, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.
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