Everything You Need to Know About Energy-Efficient Appliances
"These days most of the appliances do claim to be energy-efficient," says one of our designers, Sophie Todd, "but you still need to be proactive; understand what terms mean, such as 'Energy Star'-- or even how to find out the least expensive times to run the dishwasher."
We love our planet. The best way to show your love for the palnet is to make a concious effort to live "greener" everyday. Since we also love our customers, we want to provide the greatest service by telling you all that you need to know about energy-efficient appliances, so you can make an informed purchase and start living life a little greener. The first topic to break down is the difference between using energy efficiently and conserving energy.
Conservation vs. Energy-Efficiency
People tend to use these terms interchangeably, because they both involve energy reduction--but there's a subtle difference. Energy conservation is the reduction of energy consumption by using less of an energy service, for instance, driving your car less frequently. Energy efficiency just means using less energy for the same amount of products and/or services. An example would be to use LED lights or natural skylights to reducet lighting--or, in our case, purchasing appliances that are Energy Star compliant. When an appliance is Energy Star compliant, it means that it was manufactured with advanced technologies to use 10 to 50 percent less energy than other appliances. There are Energy Star refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers and more. Not only do they save energy and money--after all, who doesn't like to see a reduced electric bill--but they also help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, so you're really doing your part to help the planet.
You'll also hear terms like "green" or "eco-friendly." In the appliances industry, that always means "Energy-Efficient." Just because they work hard for the environment, it doesn't mean they aren't gorgeous! Take a look at these Whirlpool and Samsung appliances for an example of a great energy saver in each of the three major categories (refrigerators, ranges, and dishwashers).
Whirlpool - WRF535SMBM: an Energy Star Certified 36" French Door Refrigerator with a 25.2 cu. ft. total capacity, five glass shelves, a 7.44 cu. ft. freezer capacity, a crisper drawer, adaptive defrosting, and Accu-Chill technology, in Stainless Steel.
Samsung Appliance - DW80J7550US: an Energy Star Certified 24" Built-In Fully Integrated Dishwasher with five wash cycles, a 15 place settings, NSF certification, a zone booster, WaterWall technology, an Express-60 cycle, and a Dry Plus Option, in Stainless Steel.
GE Profile - PHB920SJSS: a 30" Profile Series Electric Freestanding Range with five smoothtop/cooktop elements, a storage drawer, a 5.3 cu. ft. primary oven capacity, a delay bake feature, a self-cleaning mode, a viewing window, a fifth element warming zone, WiFi connectivity, induction technology, and GE Chef Connect technology, in Stainless Steel.
Why Would You Want Energy Star?
They save money: Every appliance purchase has two price tags: One is the initial cost. The other is the cost of running it. Refrigerators, especially, are gobblers; in fact, they consume the most energy! But appliances, overall, are responsible for about twenty percent of your electric bill, so crunch the numbers: You can save up to $80 per year with Energy Star appliances.
Increase longevity: Because they have to use advanced technology, the components are often just that much better than standard. That means a longer life and fewer repairs than regular ones. Since you also need to add the cost of repairs to your budget, Energy Star appliances will save you money in that area, too.
Things You Can Do to Save Energy
Purchasing Energy Star appliances is a great start, but there are some small things you can do that really add up:
Use Appliances Wisely: Even with Energy Star appliances, watch the consumption. Did you know that constantly changing the temperature on your heater uses more energy than keeping the temperature stable? Also, its better to unplug appliances, not just turn them off, when you aren't using them because they'll still use up energy. Use appliances like dishwashers, washer/dryers during less expensive energy times. Demand does vary quite a bit during the day, with peak times being mostly early evening. That might change with location, however, so the best bet is to call your electric company and ask.
Turn off the lights when not using them: Many of us have probably heard some variation of that parental cry to not leave lights on. There's a lot of truth in that, though. We heard a funny, but good idea: If you have grown kids living at home who still leave lights on, put them in charge of the utility bill, because it's guaranteed they'll start shutting them off! The other thing you might do is switch your lightbulbs to those compact fluorescent ones. They cost more, but they last a lot longer so you'll save money in the long-term. Also, you don't have to switch all of them at once; even with some mixed in with the incandescents, you'll still see a rather large reduction.
Got App? There are some really smart appliance apps out there that can really make your life easier and help you save money. They do things like start the appliance or shift energy usage to less expensive times. Perhaps best of all, you can receive notifications when you've left the dishwasher running or the lights on. We've got an article on our website all about smart appliances if you want more information on the latest and greatest features currently on the market.
For instance, GE WIFI Connect Appliances "talk" to Alexa (the voice-controlled interface that allows you to verbally ask your appliance questions) so you can say things like "Alexa! Tell Geneva (thto turn on, or turn off, the oven." The Alexa app is the mobile companion to ECHO, the cylinder object that connects to Alexa in the home.
Switch off gadgets when not in use. Things like coffeemakers and microwaves often have LED lights that gobble up electricity, so if you don't need them immediately, switch them off--we mention this specifically because some people do like to leave their coffeemakers on all night so it brews while they are sleeping, and then they're met with a cup of coffee immediately upon waking-- but that comes at a cost.
For more helpful information on certification marks like "Energy Star Certified," check out our Certification Marks article. For more on all things home, appliances, and furniture, check out all of the other articles in our Learning Center!
