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Select Energy Efficient Appliances & Electronics Step 11

Because zero energy homes are so energy efficient, appliances and electronic devices often use more energy than space conditioning and water heating. So selecting these consumer products with energy consumption in mind has never been more important. Identifying and purchasing the most energy efficient appliances and electronics at the lowest cost takes some effort as the most energy efficient and cost effective models often vary with each model year. Here is some guidance on selecting appliances and electronics that use far less energy without going over budget.

Select Energy Star Appliances

Search for energy efficient appliances on the ENERGY STAR Product Finder page and select the most cost-effective models. Smaller appliances usually use less energy, so think about right-sizing refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers. In selecting appliances for a zero energy home, both cost and energy consumption should be taken into consideration.

Using the ENERGY STAR Product Finder you can search for products with the lowest annual electricity (kWh) consumption. For example, here is the list of Most Efficient Refrigerators sorted to show the lowest energy use first. The list illustrates that energy consumption correlates very closely to refrigerator capacity, so one way to reduce energy use and save money would be to install the smallest size appliance that meets homebuyers’ needs. For example, a 20-cubic-foot refrigerator uses less energy, square footage, and purchasing power than a 28-cubic-foot model, and an 18-inch or drawer-type dishwasher will take up less space and use less energy than the standard 24-inch model. Of course, appliance size will need to reflect the needs of the household.

Energy efficient appliances

Induction Stove Tops

An induction cooktop heats 30% more efficiently than a gas range and about 12% more efficiently than an ordinary electric range. Induction cooktops also heat more quickly than either electric or gas ranges. Induction cooktops heat the molecules in the pan rather than heating the cooktop itself. When you are done cooking, the cooktop usually is warm, but not hot, so it is safe to touch and easy to clean. Gas stoves create indoor air pollution that often exceeds EPA limits for indoor air quality, making it best to avoid installing them in very airtight homes.

Microwave Ovens

Microwave ovens are significantly more energy efficient and faster than electric or gas ovens. Microwaves should be sized so they can be used for most cooking. Recipes and techniques for cooking a wide variety of foods in a microwave oven are readily available online.

High RPM Washer with Cold Water

A front-loading clothes washer with at least a 1400 RPM spin cycle and a fan fresh (fluff) option will take much of the moisture out of wet clothes without heat, minimizing the use of a dryer or time needed to line-dry laundry. All washers have energy-saving cycles that use only cold water. Since hot water heating uses more energy, it makes sense to recommend cold water washing to zero energy home buyers. See the ENERGY STAR list of lowest consumption clothes washers.

Clothes Dryers

Standard electric or gas dryers use a considerable amount of energy and must be exhausted to the outside, creating the equivalent of a large (though intermittent) air leak in an otherwise super-tight building shell. Air drying clothes saves a lot of energy. Outdoor clothes lines and indoor drying racks are cost effective and can be included in the home and yard design. In dry climates, indoor drying can bring welcome moisture to household air. In moist climates, outdoor clothes lines are a better option.

Heat Pump Dryers

If an automatic clothes dryer is needed, consider a heat pump condensing dryer. Using the same technology as refrigerators, space heating heat pumps, and water heating heat pumps, these dryers get more heat from each unit of electricity than a typical electric dryer, typically saving 50 to 60% on energy costs. Heat pump clothes dryers have been used in Europe for many years, and are now available in the U.S. market. The models currently available are more costly than standard dryers, but they significantly reduce one of the largest remaining energy uses in energy efficient homes. As costs come down, they will be the electric dryer of choice. See the list of ENERGY STAR heat pump clothes dryers with the lowest energy consumption.

Efficient Dishwashers

In selecting a dishwasher, look for those with the lowest energy and water consumption.

Electronics

Surprisingly, the largest category of energy use in today’s energy efficient homes is electronics, especially big screen TVs, gaming consoles, computers, and other electronics. Many electronics are energy hogs while running and continue to use energy even when they are turned off, known as “phantom loads” – wasting energy 24/7. Consider purchasing the most energy efficient electronics available. See the ENERGY STAR list of most efficient televisions and other electronics.

The next step is to install manual on-off switches and use smart power strips to turn off phantom loads. In rooms where electronics are likely to be used install wall switches that regulate the outlets so the electronics can be turned completely off with a wall switch. Check out New Buildings Institute’s useful Plug Loads Best Practices Guide.

Appliance Size

When building a smaller house as part of your zero energy strategy, consider selecting smaller appliances as well. When the building itself costs hundreds of dollars per square foot, shaving a few square feet from the total can save thousands of dollars in construction costs. Similarly, a 20-cubic-foot refrigerator uses less energy, square footage, and purchasing power than a 28-cubic-foot model. Consider downsizing the dishwasher from the standard 24-inch model to an 18-inch or a drawer-type dishwasher. Of course, appliance size will need to reflect the needs of the household.

Homeowner Education

The way occupants select and use appliances and electronics has a big impact on overall household energy use. For a zero energy home that has met the energy modeling requirements to be successful in real life application, builders must provide homeowners with the technologies necessary for their success as well as education and guidelines for zero energy living .