5 Smart Appliances That Reduce Energy and Waste

Manufacturers are offering more environmentally friendly home appliances than ever before. These “green” appliances provide energy saving solutions. Not only do they reduce your home’s energy usage, but they also cut down on maintenance and utility costs. Here are five smart appliances that reduce energy and waste.

Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals, especially outdated ones are quite inefficient. Replacing an old disposal can save you money. According to research, smart garbage disposals are around 9 to 10 percent more efficient than a standard model. These units do not drain your home’s energy as much as other appliances mentioned here, but if you are trying to make your house more energy efficient throughout, then you’ll need to ensure you purchase a modern and energy-efficient disposal.

Aside from water use, you’ll need to think about the electric usage. Smart disposals can get rid of all food wastage in a relatively shorter duration of time. They are also able to consume more massive quantities allowing you to dispose of leftovers at once. This results in lower home electricity consumption per year.

Water Heater

Water heating is the second biggest energy consumption in a home. Smart water heaters are becoming increasingly popular as they are not only convenient but that reduce energy wastage. These devices can be controlled from a smart phone – you’ll be able to change the setting or monitor their performance from anywhere.

These units save energy by learning a family’s hot water usage behaviors and heating water accordingly. Furthermore, they come inclusive of a dashboard that shows hot water usage and when availability is running low. Aside from this, they also alert a user when any maintenance is necessary. Including any detected water leaks. Smart water heaters can save between 15 and 30 percent of water heating energy. Be ready to cough up around $150 or more for a unit – but this will be money well spent as your overall energy bill shall drop significantly.

Pellet Stove

Most of us enjoy the feel of a roaring fire during those cold winter nights. Pellet stoves offer a convenient and efficient way to keep your home warm. They actually provide all benefits you’d derive from a wood stove – without any work on your end. These units use renewable fuel sources to provide warmth. Imagine not having to chop up wood, stack it, or haul it inside every time your house needs a bit of heat.

Furthermore, best pellet stoves are available in a range of sizes. Depending on your floor plans, you can be able to heat your entire home or just parts of it. These units are said to save you 50 percent or more on your heating costs. Pellet stoves, as mentioned earlier do not use wood – they come inclusive of a thermostat and a fan which work in unison to efficiently heat your space.

These devices burn very hot meaning they are more efficient, and pellet stove provide cleaner burning than wood. You’ll note that less ash is produced, meaning there is less air pollution than fireplaces. In fact, these smart stoves provide the cleanest burning when compared to all residential heating appliances.

Thermostats

Space cooling and heating is the biggest consumer of energy in a home. Gone are the days you had to program your thermostat to desired temperatures manually. New smart thermostats can automatically adjust the settings to required temperatures. How do they work? Simply put, they follow your family’s pattern by learning how and when your family tends to use the air conditioning system and heating. From here, it then automatically adjusts depending on the trends. 

It is estimated that approximately 40 percent of the most home energy bill is derived from heating and cooling. This device allows you to cut back on usage thus reducing your monthly bill. However, do note that initial buying cost might be a bit expensive. Most of these models cost over $200, but this is a good investment over time. Most landlords are opting to use smart thermostats in their apartments and are more than happy to credit this cost on your next rent payment. These devices are perfect for home use, office use, and just about any other living area that needs constant heating or cooling.

Washing Machine

If you are using an old model, especially one that was manufactured before 2003, chances are that you are using a lot of water and electricity that could otherwise be saved. Washing machines are another home appliance that you might need to consider replacing as they are less efficient. Smart clothes washers consume less water of up to 10 fewer gallons of water per load.

This means that you’ll be able to save around 3,000 gallons of water annually. Less water usage means lower water bill. Aside from saving water, smart clothes washers also consume less energy. Some have the capability of using as little as 38 kWh per years but on average, most use around 250 kWh per year. These units will cut your family’s bills – especially if you have a big family. Imagine how much you’ll be able to save annually in electricity and water bills.

Other Appliances

If you want to use smart appliances, we would recommend that you don’t stop here. Granted that these items tend to have higher initial buying cost, but they will reduce your overall costs over time. Some other house appliances that you might need to change include your clothes dryer, your dishwasher, as well as your refrigerator.

Clothes dryers consume massive amounts of energy-smart clothes dryers use sensor drying controls which automatically stops the cycle when your clothes are dry as opposed to dryers that run until the timer reaches the end.

Dishwashers tend to consume a lot of water. Smart dishwashers come armed with soil sensors that test how dirty your dishes are. From here, they estimate how much water and heat will be needed. These units are designed with strategically placed racks that ensure every plate and cup gets a thorough cleaning as well as efficient spray jets.

Finally, if you are using an old refrigerator, it’s time to go smart. These units are 15 perfect more efficient than standard models. Note: instead of purchasing a side-by-side model, it’s best to buy a model with freezer on top if you want to be as efficient as possible.