The appliances we use in our homes play an essential role in maintaining a renewable environment. Using energy-efficient appliances is one of the most effective strategies for fighting climate change. However, when it comes to purchasing appliances you might wonder do energy star appliances really save money or burn a hole in the pocket. In this article, we will discuss are energy efficient appliances more expensive than less efficient alternatives.
What does it mean if an Appliance is Energy Efficient?
Energy efficient appliances are generally marked with an energy star rating which is a program designed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency which helps in promoting energy efficiency and reducing the impact of appliances on the environment. This was given to a wide variety of products from lighting to electrical appliances based on their energy usage and comparing it to the set standards by the agency.
If a product carries an energy star rating, it means that it is independently verified and is an energy-efficient product. Energy-efficient products according to the energy star rating are appliances or other electrical products which give better or similar performance to standard products while using a lot less energy in the form of electricity or gas.
These appliances also tend to be more environmentally friendly as their carbon footprint is considerably less as compared to standard products. The most important thing is that the performance of these appliances does not suffer despite using less energy, this is achieved by using better materials like higher efficiency motors, good quality insulators and compressors, and other intelligent sensors to avoid any wasteful use of energy.
Are Energy Efficient Appliances More Expensive?
Energy-efficient appliances are growing in popularity around the world as they consume less electricity and can help in cutting down on energy bills throughout the year. The upfront purchase cost of energy efficient appliances is generally higher than their standard counterparts which often raises the question of whether the energy efficient appliances are cheaper or they end up being more expensive than the standard models. Take a look at the following factors that will explain the reason behind this extra pricing.
1. The US Department of Energy estimates that using energy-efficient appliances can cut up to 25% percent of the electricity bill which means with long-term savings on bills and lower operating costs, the energy-efficient models will not only pay for the extra cost but will also end up being cheaper.
2. For a better explanation taking the example of a simple lighting bulb and replacing it with an energy-efficient LED bulb would mean buying an 8-dollar bulb which is around 8 times more expensive than a standard bulb. However, since LED bulbs are significantly better in terms of quality and energy efficiency they can last around 10 to 25 times more all while saving up to 80 percent in energy bills.
3. This means that a LED bulb will save around 22 dollars within a year in the energy bill which makes energy-efficient bulbs a clear choice over standard models despite being more expensive initially. Similarly, other appliances provide similar long-term savings in energy bills while having a lower running cost and longer lifespan.
Are New Appliances More Energy Efficient?
With increasing power and gas prices around the world, the energy consumption of an appliance is becoming an increasingly essential aspect of purchasing new appliances. Since you’ve learned are energy efficient appliances more expensive, you might be wondering if, despite their high price, they can give excellent efficiency or not.
Newer appliances come with advanced technology that makes them more energy efficient and manages to deliver a similar or better level of performance. Moreover, they use lesser electricity or gas as compared to the older and outdated models. To put this into perspective, a new $800 refrigerator when compared to an old refrigerator manufactured before 2001 can save enough electricity every year that it pays for itself in just 8 years; along with this energy saving it also provides better performance and lesser environmental impact.
This is achieved through a variety of improvements like the usage of more efficient components, LED lighting, intelligent sensors, and additional settings which can save power. Along with these upgrades, governments have launched energy efficiency standards like the energy star rating in the United States which sets energy efficiency standards for appliances. Due to these factors if an appliance is outdated it is always a good option to change the appliance and buy a new one as more advanced technology and reduced repair costs are generally going to recover the cost in the long run all while being energy efficient.
Also Read: What Appliances Use Gas in the House?
Do Energy Star Appliances Really Save Money?
Energy Star adheres to the strict guidelines of the government describing how energy efficient a specific product or an appliance is and this has become an easy way for a common person to understand the energy consumption of the product. After learning what does it mean if an appliance is energy efficient, do you know purchasing them can save you money too?
Buying energy star appliances can go a long way in saving up to 30% on the energy bill as these are very energy efficient and require less electricity or gas to run. This is achieved by using better-quality instruments and parts or by maximizing the efficiency of the setup within an appliance.
In the case of refrigerators, through the use of more efficient compressors and better insulation the energy consumption is greatly reduced and in the case of washing machines a combination of low electricity and water consumption, a person can save up to 40% on energy bills. On heavy appliances like dishwashers with proper maintenance and usage, a person can save around forty dollars per year. You have already learned about are energy efficient appliances more expensive and the initial cost is higher as compared to standard models which can be a deterrent to people buying new appliances.
The energy star-rated appliance can make up for it over time with savings in energy bills. Another huge benefit of using energy star-rated appliances is that due to the use of more efficient and better quality components, energy star-rated equipment tends to last longer as compared to standard models, which means savings in replacement and maintenance costs.
How much Money do You Save with Energy Efficient Appliances?
After learning why are new appliances more energy efficient than older models since technology advances, let’s study how much money do you save with energy efficient appliances. Energy-efficient appliances are proven to be an effective alternative to standard appliances due to their ability to use less energy and deliver similar performance leading to lower utility bills which mean more monetary savings. However, these appliances are made with better quality parts which means these are significantly better in terms of build quality. This allows the products to last longer with lesser maintenance.
The amount of money saved by energy-efficient appliances depends on a variety of factors like the appliance’s age, electricity usage bill, household size, and usage habits.
According to the US Department of Energy, utilizing energy-efficient appliances can save up to 25% on utility bills, which equates to a $2,200 annual savings for the average US home. Using a complete setup with proper appliances and other insulating materials to avoid energy loss can even provide a saving of 30% on the total utility bills.
Are energy efficient appliances more expensive is a commonly asked question by consumers who are considering purchasing new appliances. However, for example, a heavy home appliance like a clothes dryer which is responsible for 4% of the total household electricity bill when switched to an energy-efficient version would consume about 20% less energy which means it can reduce around $210 in the utility bill.
Another heavy appliance like a refrigerator is one of the biggest contributors to home utility bills consisting of around 6% of total household electricity usage. Using energy-efficient models of refrigerators can save up to 9% in utility bills which means it can be around 300 dollars every year.
Also Read: How Much Do Solar Panels Save On Electricity Bills?
Is it Worth Buying Energy Efficient Appliances?
The energy star rating is a popularly recognized rating that ensures that a product is energy efficient uses less energy and is environment friendly. The biggest question while buying a new appliance generally involves deciding whether to buy energy star-rated appliances or standard models and whether is it worth buying energy efficient appliances. The below-mentioned points will discuss this matter, so take a look:
1. According to studies by various agencies including the US Department of Energy, it is clear that buying energy-efficient appliances is the better decision as they not only provide savings in energy bills but are also better quality appliances improving the life of the appliance, reducing the replacement cost.
2. The upfront cost of buying an energy-efficient appliance is always considerably higher than standard models but this can be recovered back easily by savings in energy year bills over the years. If used properly and with proper maintenance, an energy efficient appliance can save up to thirty percent in energy bills.
3. A much-underrated benefit of energy efficient appliances is the reduced carbon footprint of the appliance which means that it is significantly better for the environment. When the energy benefits of energy-efficient appliances are combined with better quality and positive environmental impact, energy efficient appliances become a better choice.
To sum up all, are energy efficient appliances more expensive, they may be more expensive up front, but get cheaper in the long run. They not only use less energy, but many governments provide incentives for purchasing them, making them inexpensive. When thinking of how much money do you save with energy efficient appliances, consider the long-term savings and environmental implications of your purchase.
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