Are you looking for extra ways to save money and improve the energy efficiency of your home? Your home appliances may hold the secret to savings. By upgrading to energy efficient appliances, you can significantly reduce your electricity costs. In this article, we’ll uncover seven surprising ways efficient appliances can save you money.
With a few smart appliance purchases, you’ll be well on your way to energy efficiency. Read our full article below and learn how you can reduce your carbon footprint.
Upgrade Your Fridge Freezer
Upgrading your fridge freezer to an ENERGY STAR model can cut down your energy bills significantly, saving you up to £580 over the lifetime of the product. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to use minimal electricity and they’re the epitome of appliances with a high energy efficiency rating.
So how do these energy saving appliances work? It’s all about the design. The energy efficiency of appliances like these is achieved by incorporating advanced technologies that minimise energy wastage. For instance, a fridge freezer with an ENERGY STAR certification typically has better insulation and more efficient compressors. This translates to less energy being needed to keep your food cold or frozen.
This energy rating gives you a clear picture of how energy efficient an appliance is. The higher the rating, the less energy it’ll require to run.
Dishwasher vs Hand Washing
A common misconception is that hand washing dishes saves more energy than using a dishwasher. This isn’t necessarily true. Modern energy-efficient dishwashers use less water and energy than hand washing, especially if you’re running a full load. You’ll be surprised to know that an energy efficient dishwasher uses around 3-4 gallons of water per load, while hand washing can use up to 27 gallons!
Efficient dishwashers come with air-dry settings, a feature designed to reduce energy usage. This option lets dishes dry naturally, skipping the energy-intensive heat drying process. It’s an easy way to save energy without sacrificing performance.
Washing Machines
You’ll find that an ENERGY STAR washing machine can dramatically cut down your energy bills and water usage. These machines are specifically designed to use less energy and water, making them an ideal choice for homeowners who are conscious about their consumption.
The benefits of an energy efficient washing machine are significant. You’re not only saving money on your utility bills, but you’re also playing a part in conservation efforts by reducing your water and energy consumption.
Drying Clothes
After washing, when it’s time to dry your clothes, you’ll notice even more savings with an ENERGY STAR dryer. These dryers use about 20% less energy than conventional models, significantly reducing your utility costs. And it’s not just about energy savings.
Here are three additional ways that this energy-efficient appliance can save you money:
- Longevity: ENERGY STAR dryers are designed to last longer. The longer your dryer lasts, the less frequently you’ll need to replace it, saving you money in the long run.
- Advanced features: These dryers often come with advanced features like moisture sensors. This technology detects when your clothes are dry and automatically shuts off the dryer, saving energy and preventing your clothes from over-drying.
Water Heaters
Switching your focus to water heaters, you’ll find that upgrading to an energy-efficient model can bring substantial savings in your energy bills. With traditional heaters, much of the energy used to heat the water is lost when it isn’t in use. However, energy-efficient models, like tankless or condensing water heaters, only heat the water when you need it, reducing energy waste.
When you invest in an energy-efficient heater, you’re not just saving on your monthly bills, you’re also ensuring a longer lifespan for your appliance. Over time, these savings add up, giving you a significant return on your investment. Plus, you’re doing your part for the environment by reducing your energy consumption.
Ovens
You’ll find that your oven is another key appliance that can benefit from an upgrade. An ENERGY STAR certified oven is your best bet for efficiency gains. They’re designed with features that reduce your energy use, thus saving you money.
Here’s how they do it:
- Auto-off: This feature automatically turns your oven off when your food is cooked, preventing wasted energy. It’s easy to forget about your food, and this feature ensures you won’t waste energy if you do.
- Convection cooking: Convection ovens use fans to circulate hot air, cooking food more evenly and quickly. This reduces both cooking time and energy use.
- Energy savings: Compared to a conventional oven, an ENERGY STAR certified oven can save you a significant amount on your energy bill.
Smart Thermostats
Next on your list of energy-saving upgrades should be a smart thermostat, a device that can help significantly reduce your energy consumption and save you money. Smart thermostats do more than just regulate temperature. They’re advanced tools that adapt to your lifestyle, learning your daily patterns and adjusting the temperature accordingly.
When you’re out of the house, they lower the temperature, saving energy that would otherwise be wasted on an empty home. They also optimise heating and cooling cycles, ensuring that your system isn’t working harder than it needs to. You’re not only saving energy, but you’re also extending the lifespan of your HVAC system.
You can also control it remotely, allowing you to adjust the temperature from wherever you are. So, whether you’re cosy in bed or stuck in traffic, you can ensure your home is at the perfect temperature when you arrive.
How Falcon Energy can help with energy efficiency
In your journey towards energy efficiency, Falcon Energy is a valuable partner, offering services such as air tightness testing, thermographic testing, and EPC ratings to help assess your home’s energy performance. They can highlight areas where you’re losing energy, and provide solutions to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
You might be wondering how these services can help you. Well, let’s break it down:
- Air Tightness Testing: This test identifies leaks in your home that lead to energy loss. By sealing these gaps, you can conserve energy and save on heating and cooling costs.
- Thermographic Testing: Using infrared technology, this test spots thermal discrepancies in your home. It shows where insulation is missing or where there’s poor ventilation, both of which can lead to energy inefficiency.
- EPC Ratings: An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives your home a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). This helps you understand your home’s current efficiency level and what improvements can be made.
By taking advantage of Falcon Energy’s expertise, you’re not just making your home more energy efficient, you’re also saving money in the long run.
Improve your home energy efficiency
Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances is a smart move. Not only can you save a surprising amount on energy costs, but you’ll also contribute to a greener planet.
If you need help with improving the energy efficiency of your home, speak to our team of energy experts today for independent support and advice for both new and existing buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Money Can I Expect to Save Annually by Switching to Energy Efficient Appliances?
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact figure as it varies, but a Which? study showed consumers could save £336 per year by switching to more efficient appliances.
Are There Any Additional Maintenance Costs Associated With Energy Efficient Appliances?
You’d think energy-efficient appliances might require costly upkeep, wouldn’t you? Surprisingly, they don’t. They’re designed to be durable and require less maintenance, which contributes to the overall savings you’ll enjoy.
What Other Benefits, Besides Cost Savings, Can I Expect From Switching to Energy Efficient Appliances?
Besides saving money, you’ll also enjoy a quieter home. Energy efficient appliances often run quietly. Plus, they’re better for the environment, reducing your carbon footprint. You’re not just saving, you’re also going green.
Do Energy Efficient Appliances Have the Same Performance Levels as Traditional Appliances?
Yes, energy efficient appliances perform just as well, if not better, than traditional ones. You’re not sacrificing convenience or effectiveness, you’re simply using less energy to achieve the same results.