According to the data from the US Environmental Protection Agency, 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of electricity and heat. This industry is the greatest single contributor to the greenhouse effect that is causing the devastating climate change we are witnessing now. Installing energy efficient home appliances is one of the few ways you have to fight this change and contribute to the saving of our planet.
5 Energy-Efficient Home Appliances Everyone Should Have
1. Induction Stovetop
Unless you are a raw vegan, you’ll need a cooktop at your home, so it’s not a kind of appliance you can simply give up. Therefore, you should pick the most energy-efficient one, and today it’s an induction stove top.
It uses about 30% less energy than gas and 12% less than a regular electric cooktop. It’s also safer to use as the surface of the appliance itself doesn’t heat up much. Instead, induction cooktops work by heating up molecules in the pans placed on them. So, the chances of you or your kids getting a nasty burn by accident, or a fire, aren’t as high as when using gas stovetops, in particular.
2. Pedestal Fan
Having an air conditioning unit is nice, but it’s also very expensive, as you can see by using a central AC electricity usage calculator. A pedestal fan is the best alternative to this ‘power-hungry’ appliance.
This device consumes much less energy by default, and you can easily make it even more efficient by placing the fan strategically. Set out a bowl of ice cubes in front of it for creating a refreshing frosty breeze.
When you are looking for a high-quality pedestal fan, you should consider the energy efficiency of the device as well as its noise level. Also, pay attention to the sturdiness of the construction as a flimsy fan might fall down and break easily.
3. Cold Water Washers with a High RPM
Like stovetops, washing machines aren’t energy-efficient home appliances by default. However, they are necessary as washing clothes by hand will waste more water overall. The best thing you can do is to buy your own washing machine from the Energy Star list.
The devices that can use cold water for washing are the most efficient in terms of energy consumption. You also should look to buy a washing machine with the highest RPM (Rotation per Minute) you can afford. This way, you’ll be able to make your clothes come out of the machine nearly dry. Therefore, hanging them out to dry for a bit will be enough. This will enable you to stop using a drier, which has no redeeming qualities as a house appliance and consumes way too much energy, no matter how efficient it claims to be.
4. Dish Washer
Unlike a clothes washing machine, you can go on without a dishwasher. However, this will make you use up more water, which is also a waste. If you choose a dishwasher from the Energy Star approved list, you’ll be able to save money on both water and electricity.
Bear in mind that not all energy-efficient home appliances with an Energy Star (ES) label are equal. This is particularly obvious for dishwashers. These devices are rather expensive, and get more so the higher their ES rating is. This makes them not cost-efficient overall. It might be best to buy a machine from the mid-price range with a moderately good energy efficiency rating.
5. Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat might be different from the majority of energy-efficient home appliances. However, it’s one of the most important gadgets you can have. It makes your heating system, as a whole, more efficient, and saves you money in the long run.
If you can afford it, choose a model that can be controlled via your smartphone. This will enable maximum savings, as the heating won’t run in vain on the days when you have to stay late at work or something like that.
Energy Efficient Home Appliances: Conclusion
Making your home more energy efficient allows you to save not only money but the planet as well. Therefore, you should always look for the best devices among those you can afford. For those electronic appliances that aren’t energy-saving, you can install on-off switches to reduce the waste of power.
