How to Buy the Most Energy Efficient Appliances
Your monthly electricity bill can get significantly high. Energy efficient appliances will save you money over time. Plus, they’re environmentally friendly. Today’s appliances are more efficient than those made 10 years ago. Manufacturers produce these new products for many areas in the house including the bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, and others.
Deciding what to purchase can be confusing at first. Research and know which energy efficient appliances will best suit your home. For example, if you currently use the washing machine the most and the television very little, you would benefit more by searching for an energy efficient washing machine. It’s important to look at how each appliance can make your life greener and what logos or information to note.
Air Conditioning or Heating System
Air conditioning or heating systems usually last for nine years. People use these appliances a lot in their homes. The costs rise during winter and summer.
Appliances will have easy identifiable EnergyGuide labels with the BTU (energy efficiency measurement), EER (energy efficiency rating), and SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating). For the EER you want a high number. The EER may be labeled as estimated yearly electricity use. The labels will also have the estimated yearly energy cost compared to other models. Depending on how much you use it and the price of electricity in your area, your cost may differ.
Another logo to look out for is the ENERGY STAR® certification. The certification lets people know that the product is a high-efficiency model that usually goes beyond minimum federal standards. Size matters when purchasing a new cooling or heating system. If it’s too small, it may take more power to get to the right temperature. If it’s too big, it will make the air uncomfortable. Find a size that fits well with the size of your space.
Other ways to put more money in your pocket is to invest in a programmable or smart thermostat. A programmable thermostat helps people set the temperature for a certain amount of time. Setting the temperature a few degrees lower than the average temperature during the winter months in your home will save you money. In the summer set the temperature a few degrees higher. The thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature for you. This way you won’t have to change the temperature every time you leave the house or return. Smart thermostats track how you use the cooling and heating system to make the best energy saving decisions.
Refrigerator & Dishwasher
Another appliance known to waste energy is the refrigerator. These appliances are always on and working hard to keep the temperature level the same. Today’s refrigerators are less likely to use a lot of power as well as release harmful gases in order to stay cold than past refrigerators. LG and Kenmore are companies that have been applauded for their promising energy efficient refrigerators. Dual fridge freezers are just as amazing for saving energy. The freezer helps the fridge stay cool, which means less power is needed for the fridge.
Dishwashers waste a lot of water and use too much power. When shopping for a dishwasher take a careful look at the power and water consumption. Samsung and Zanussi are popular brands that produce energy efficient dishwashers that cut the amount of water and energy. Today’s dishwashers have new technology that can detect how dirty the dishes are and figure out how much water to use to effectively clean the dishes while saving water and energy at the same time. Some can situate dishes at a specific angle to make them spotless.
Washing Machines
Just like dishwashers, washing machines regularly wastes so much water and energy. If you currently have one that’s 10 years or older, your water bill and energy bill are probably high due to the wastage. Consider shopping for an Energy Star certified machine. Energy Star certified washing machines normally use 10 gallons less than machines that aren’t energy efficient.
Today’s machines spin faster and don’t have central agitators. These factors make those machines clean faster, which mean they use less energy over time. It’s also recommended to get a washing machine with a high IMEF (integrated modified energy factor) and a low IWF (integrated water factor).
Television
In the past, television tubes and wiring used up a lot of energy. Currently, energy efficient televisions have turn-off features that are easier than ever. They can also automatically turn off when the television detects no one is using it.
Some models build brightness controls that are self-activated. The brightness will change depending on the lighting in the room. LED and OLED features on models save energy as well. Energy Star certified HDTVs are also available. You can enjoy the high image quality and keep energy low at the same time.
Lights
LED bulbs are popular these days because they are the brightest and still affordable. They are also safe compared to fluorescent bulbs, which have mercury. Halogen light bulbs aren’t as bright as LED bulbs.
Sometimes you may forget if you turned off the lights while you’re at work or when you’ve already left the house. Energy management systems can be purchased for situations like this. With a remote or your smartphone you can control the lights, cooling and heating system, and other appliances. Now you don’t have to worry if you’ve left the lights on or not at home.
