Many appliances look very similar outwardly but they can vary all together when it comes to energy efficiency and as a result running costs.
In this article you will understand everything you need to know about electricity efficient household appliances. Discover what energy electricity saving household appliances are, what makes them different, the benefits of using them and when you should make the switch. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact IBC Irving Appliance Repair.
Basically energy efficiency is employing reduced energy to provide the same function. This could mean, replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same level of light or insulating your home so you need to turn the heating on less often.
Energy efficiency is related to but different from energy conservation which requires employing less energy by requiring a different result. For example, opting to cycle when you might normally have used the car or only putting on the washing machine when you have a full load.
Electricity saving devices are engineered to offer the same outcomes using less energy allowing you to save money. Less electricity usage result in lower electricity bills and fewer environmental impacts.
Many devices available in the USA are ENERGY STAR marked, meaning they offer better energy efficiency compared to lower rated models, usually ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances have EnergyGuide labels which show how efficient they are when looked at next to other comparable appliances.
These simple labels can be a handy starting point when deciding if an appliance is energy conserving or not.
Some examples of energy efficient devices include:
Energy efficient devices work by employing the latest technology to maximize efficiency. That might be superior insulation in fridges, filters in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in clothes dryers to limit drying time.
Choosing energy conserving devices makes sense for multiple reasons:
Electricity efficient devices save you money by reducing your electricity usage and by association your utility bills.
How much you save and whether or not you see a big fall in your household bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the previous and future devices, the degree of use and how long the product lasts.
The older the appliance you are upgrading is the more you are likely to save. Similarly the more energy the device requires to run the greater the potential savings. For example replacing an worn out, inefficient, oversized air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR marked one that is the correct size for your home, will make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is just 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.
Research suggests that if your fridge was produced over 20 years ago you could save up to $270 in five years, however if it was produced in within the last decade the savings will be much lower.
You also have to make certain you use your appliances energy-efficient settings to get the greatest savings. For example, manual defrost is more energy-efficient than auto defrost, but only if you remember to keep defrosting.
When examining new devices factoring in both the purchase price and the usage costs will ensure you make the prime decision for you.
Saving energy isn’t only about reducing your bills. Reducing energy usage also has an environmental impact.
The things we do have massive impacts on the natural world, one of the most pressing of which is the release of carbon dioxide into the air through the consumption of non-renewable resources that appear to be responsible for air quality degradation and global warming.
As the general population become more aware of the environmental cost of our daily choices 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 rating was created in 1992 to ensure an easily recognizable way for people to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.
Rated appliances must meet both energy performance and consumer requirements in regards to performance and attributes.
The conditions for the ENERGY STAR certification vary between different appliances. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, appliances must be a minimum percentage less energy intensive than the standard design in their category.
This means, not all ENERGY STAR marked goods are the same in terms of efficiency. I.e a fridge that is 12% more efficient and one that uses 22% less energy could get the symbol. So although looking out for the star is a great first step, it is still worth looking into the actual energy usage before picking the best one for you.
Electricity saving appliances really do make a difference at an individual and national level, meaning more money in your pocket and more resources to go around.
Next time you are in the market for a new appliance check the EnergyGuide label. This tells you the amount of energy an appliance uses and makes it more straight forward to compare makes and styles.
You might also want to know how much your electricity costs you so you can make accurate comparisons.
Size matters when it comes to appliances. For example:
Household appliances get less efficient as they deteriorate so replace older items first and if you can, focus on the appliances that use the most energy.
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