Buying appliances can be exciting for many but taxing for others. With so many options to choose from, which one is the “right” one? Which appliances can meet your preferences? And apart from that, you will also have to consider their quality, their cost, and their longevity.
In the state of the world today, consumers are encouraged to do their part in conserving the environment. So energy-efficient appliances are probably the best ones to buy. Yes, they’re pricier than their less-efficient counterparts. The upfront cost is one of the reasons people turn away from energy-saving appliances.
But their benefits far outweigh their price tags. Here are some reasons why you need to invest in energy-efficient appliances:
Save the Environment
Energy-efficient appliances do exactly what their name suggests. They are made to use less energy to complete tasks. Old appliances run on older technology. And that’s why they don’t have this feature.
Energy-saving appliances use less electricity. For example, by using newer and smarter refrigerators, you can save as much as 10% energy. And if you use energy-efficient light bulbs, you conserve 70% to 90% energy compared to using incandescent bulbs.
Energy-saving appliances that involve water, such as dishwashers and clothes washers, not only save electricity but lower water usage as well. For instance, if you use an Energy Star-certified clothes washer, you can save up to 2,000 gallons of water each year.
The residential sector in the U.S. contributes 20% of the country’s overall carbon emissions. But if you and many other homeowners use energy-saving appliances, you can lower this percentage and do your part in protecting the environment. Using energy-efficient appliances means reducing the demand for fossil fuel energy, one of the main contributors to climate change. And since you reduce your water usage, you also help in conserving this natural resource.
Save Money
These appliances do have a hefty price tag. Some people who wanted to buy energy-efficient appliances had to apply for energy improvement mortgage loans to afford these things.
Though you’ll have to spend more to buy these appliances, they’re still worth the price because they can reduce your yearly electricity and water bills. For example, an average American family spends around $2,000 annually on utility bills. If you replace five of your most-used lights with energy-efficient light bulbs, you can save up to $75 on your electric bill. And if you use an energy-efficient washer, you can save up to $35 annually.
Aside from utility bills, you can also reduce your annual tax dues by using these appliances. You can earn up to 10% tax credit if you use those that are Energy Star-certified. But this tax credit only applies to existing principal residences with such appliances that are bought and installed, not rented.
Increase the Selling Appeal and Value of Your Home
If you choose energy-saving appliances, you not only save money on bills and taxes but increase the appeal and value of your home as well.
Many individuals are interested in buying environment-friendly homes. This desire to be as eco-friendly as possible is driven by science experts’ claim that humans only have a decade left to push for green initiatives and prevent irreversible damage caused by climate change. Thus, if you have energy-saving appliances and decide to sell your house, you’ll find that many will be interested in your property. This means you can potentially close a deal quickly.
Also, you can increase the value of your property. In this case, energy-efficient appliances are a worthy investment. And you can get back what you spend on them when you sell your home. According to a 2019 survey, on average, an individual is willing to pay up to $8,728 if a home is shown to reduce its annual energy costs by $1,000. ;
Which Appliances to Get?
If these reasons are convincing enough for you to take the step of buying energy-saving appliances, then your next step is to decide which ones you will get.
Ideally, you will want to buy the pieces that you regularly use at home, such as light bulbs, refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer. If you want a larger scale upgrade, you can also have a smart thermostat, energy-efficient HVAC system, and solar panels installed in your home.
More people should take the conscious decision to buy energy-efficient appliances. They may be pricey, but the cost can be offset by the amount you can save annually by using them over less-efficient options. The energy-saving appliances have many benefits that can not only improve your home life but also protect the environment.
