Many appliances appear very comparable on the face of it but they can vary all together when it comes to energy economy and consequently running costs.

In this article you can learn everything you need to know about electricity efficient devices. Discover what energy low energy household appliances are, how they operate, the advantages of choosing them and whether they are right for you and your home. For questions concerning energy-efficient appliances and other home appliances, contact Direct Denver Appliance Repair.

What is an Energy Efficient Household Appliance?

Put simply energy efficiency is making use of decreased energy to perform the same function. For example, replacing an incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb that produces the same brightness or insulating your walls so you need to turn the heating on less often.

Energy efficiency is linked to but distinct from energy conservation which involves making use of less energy by changing the outcome. Eg opting to walk when you might normally have used the car or only using the dishwasher when you have a full load.

Low energy appliances are created to give equivalent results in a more efficient way allowing you to save money. Less power requirements result in lower electricity bills and less use of fossil fuels.

Many devices available in the United States are ENERGY STAR rated, meaning they offer use less electricity than lower efficiency models, normally ranging from 10-50%. Most appliances will also have EnergyGuide labels which lay out how economical they are compared to other equal capacity appliances.

These ratings can be a handy first point of call when figuring out if an appliance is energy efficient or not.

Types of Low Energy Devices

Some examples of electricity saving devices include:

Fridge-Freezers
Air Purifiers
Water Heaters
Washing Machines
Tumble Dryers

How Energy Conserving Appliances work

Energy conserving household appliances work by taking advantage of the best current technology to minimize energy consumption. That might mean superior insulation in fridges, dirt sensors in dishwashers, or moisture sensors in tumble dryers to minimize drying time.

Reasons to Switch to Low Energy Goods

Choosing energy efficient appliances makes sense for a number of reasons:

Saving energy. The more efficient an appliance is the less resources it needs . Meaning you can gain a sizable reduction in energy consumption without losing any productivity.
Reducing cost. Although energy-efficient appliances might have a higher ticket price they will usually save you money over time by reducing your utility bills.
Environmental benefits. Most of the electricity we need for our daily lives comes from oil and gas and results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Lessening our use of fossil fuels also keeps them for future use in a more sustainable way.
Energy Security. With resource costs consistently rising and natural resources continually depleting choosing more efficient devices is a more sustainable option.

Do Electricity Efficient Devices Genuinely Save Money?

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

How much you save and whether or not you enjoy a noticeable difference in your annual bills will depend on the relative efficiency of the old and future appliances, the intensity of use and the lifespan of the product.

The older the appliance you are changing is the bigger the difference you are likely to see. In the same way the more energy the appliance uses to run the greater the potential savings. For example substituting an broken, wasteful, too big air conditioning unit with a new ENERGY STAR accredited one that is the exact size for your home, will make a noticeable impact whereas upgrading your dishwasher with one that is only 10% less energy intensive is likely to have a much less noticeable impact.

Reports suggest that if your fridge was made 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 less.

You also have to make certain you understand your household appliances energy saving functions to get the best savings. For example, setting your dryer for a fixed time negates its ability to sense when your clothes are nearly dry.

When contrasting new appliances factoring in both the ticket price and the usage costs will make sure you make the prime choice for you.

How Energy Efficient Appliances Help the Environment

Saving energy isn’t just about reducing your bills. Reducing energy consumption also has an environmental impact.

The things we do have massive effects on the natural world, one of the most obvious of which is the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of non-renewable resources that are likely to be responsible for air pollution and global warming.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our daily decisions the market is replying with more energy efficient solutions to our needs. Whether that is reusable straws or in this case low energy washing machines.

What are ENERGY STAR rated Household Appliances?

The ENERGY STAR mark was created in 1992 to ensure an readily understandable way for consumers to opt-for more eco-friendly devices.

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

The conditions for the ENERGY STAR mark change according to the device being tested. In order to be awarded the ENERGY STAR, devices must be at least a certain percentage less energy intensive than the standard model in their category.

This means, not all ENERGY STAR certified products are equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example a washing machine that is 15% more efficient and one that is 22% more efficient could get the rating. Therefore although only looking at products with the symbol is a great starting point, it is still worth finding out the actual energy savings before making your final choice.

Is an Energy Conserving Appliance the Best Choice for Your Home?

Low energy devices really do make a impression on an individual and national level, reducing your bills and conserving both energy and resources.

If you are in the market for a new device check the EnergyGuide label. This label shows the amount of energy an appliance gets through and makes it easier to contrast brands 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 matters when it comes to appliances. For example:

Running one big fridge is more efficient than paying for two little ones. Unless you only need the spare one during the holidays
When choosing a replacement washing machine think about the amount of washing you tend to do as running a lower capacity machine twice will cost more than turning on a bigger machine once.
Even the best water heater will never save you money if it’s four times the size you need for your home.

Appliances get less efficient as they get older so replace over 10 years old first and if you are able to, focus on the items that contribute most to your overall energy usage.