In the days of advancement, the world is growing at a steady speed. Therefore, at a high rate, people have started converting their homes to smart homes. Moreover, nowadays, around 25% of home energy is used in operating appliances. But if you have complete command of regulating the usage, then it will be a huge favour to save on your utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program is a government initiative that particularly projects to enhance the energy efficiency of various products so that you can save money and the environment.

Choose Energy Efficient Products

While selecting household appliances for your new-age home, here are a few points that you need to consider:

• Choose the Right Size and Power: It is vital to choose home products that are of the right size and power to fulfil your specific needs. Moreover, oversized appliances consume more energy than required.
• Compare Operating Costs: While looking for new home appliances, it is always recommended that always cross check the cost of running different models. Usually, more energy-efficient models of appliances may have a higher cost, but they can save you money over time.
• Energy and Water Efficiency: To evaluate energy efficiency, it is always recommended to check the Energy Rating system to compare the usage of energy. Therefore, higher star ratings indicate better energy efficiency.

Usage Of Appliance Efficiently

Many of the former appliances, which are old, used to continue using the energy even when the power is turned off. Henceforth, these things happen due to the standby mode of the appliance. Here are a few tips that help you choose the right appliance per your usage to maximise energy efficiency in your home:

Washing Machines

When selecting a washing machine, keep in mind that front-loaders are generally more expensive upfront but use less energy, water, and detergent compared to top-loaders. Additionally:

• Pay attention to capacity and cycle time to ensure your machine meets your family’s laundry needs.
• Washing machines are also rated separately for energy and water efficiency. Use the Energy Rating and Water Rating websites to compare different models.
• If possible, wash your clothes in the cold water. Using cold water for washing clothes increases the durability and cloth strength. However, ensure your machine is compatible with cold water washing.

Fridges and Freezers

Fridges and freezers are one of the most commonly used appliances. It plays a significant role in contributing to the energy consumption of your household. Always choose a refrigerator that meets your needs. While choosing a refrigerator, it is always recommended to choose as per your requirement and energy-efficient option:

• For 1-2 people, 250-380 litres is typically sufficient.
• For 3-4 people, 350-530 litres is recommended.
• For larger households, consider models with 440 litres or more.

Make sure that the ventilation of the refrigerator should be at least 5 cm of space on each side, and 10 cm at the top and back of the appliance.

In case, there is a possibility to keep your appliance away from direct sunlight then do it accordingly.

Set the temperature of your fridge between 3°C and 4°C and your freezer to temperatures between -15°C and -18°C. If possible, avoid any unnecessarily low settings, as it may increase energy usage.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers can be efficient if you choose models with good drying performance and high energy and water efficiency ratings. These ratings are available on the Energy Rating and Water Rating websites. Combining these two considerations can lead to substantial savings on both your energy and water bills.

Clothes Dryers

Clothes dryers can be energy-intensive appliances, especially in dry areas. Consider alternative methods of drying your clothes, such as line drying or using indoor racks. If you do need a dryer, look for energy-efficient models.

• Vented dryers are the most common type. Autosensing types that switch off when the clothes are dry are more efficient.
• Condenser dryers collect moisture in a reservoir or drain it off, preventing humidity in the laundry.
• Heat pump condenser dryers are highly efficient and capture and reuse energy during the drying cycle.
• Avoid gas-powered dryers, as electric models are more efficient and compatible with solar power.

Solar Hot Water

The usage of solar hot water systems helps to save electricity bills. Consider using it for warm-to-hot washes, it is effective to save energy. However, ensure that your washing machine has a hot water connection and you can set the water temperature with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Wash Full Loads

Machines often use the same amount of energy and water to wash a full load as they do for a partial load. However, some machines have load sensors or half-load settings to optimize resource usage. Make the most of these features to save energy and water.

Home Entertainment Products & Technology

Nowadays, every household is getting modernized by installing smart appliances in their homes. Moreover, numerous products are available to install but choosing the right one as per usage and energy efficiency is the most important part. Here are a few entertainment products that are subject to minimum energy performance:

• Computer Monitors: Besides choosing energy-efficient appliances, it’s crucial to use them efficiently. Many appliances consume energy in standby mode, so consider switching them off when not in use.
• Digital TV set-up Box: By selecting and using energy-efficient appliances wisely, you can reduce your energy bills, minimize your carbon footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Using HD broadcast on Free-on-air, subscription cable, and satellite platforms is energy efficient.
• TV: Always compares the TV with minimum energy performance standards and after that with the rating labels.
• Computer: Consider the energy efficiency of home entertainment and technology products, as they can also contribute to your energy consumption. Ensure that your devices meet minimum energy performance standards and look for the Energy Rating Label when applicable.

Ending Note

Hope you find the blog on energy-efficient appliances for your new-age home useful. You can make choices based on this for your home. Using energy-efficient appliances can help you in various ways.