The contribution of electricity guards: When you should replace old household appliances first appeared at the online magazine Basic Thinking. You can start the day well every morning via our newsletter update.
Old and aged household appliances can quickly turn out to be power eaters. But when is it worth exchanging the refrigerator, washing machine and the like? A current study on behalf of the Federal Environment Office provides information.
For many people, household appliances such as dishwasher, freezer or vacuum cleaner are hard to imagine. These devices are often in use in one household for many years.
But this can lead to the fact that old household appliances turn into real power guzzlers. One Current study on behalf of the Federal Environmental Office has analyzed when it is worth replacing an old device with more efficient.
Electricity eaters: When you should replace old household appliances
For the research report, cooling and freezing devices, dishwasher, tumble dryer and vacuum cleaner were examined. The focus of the investigation was both the ecological and the economic meaningfulness of the exchange of these devices against particularly efficient new devices.
However, according to the results of the investigation, this question is not so easy to answer. The study is based on a simplified ecological balance and a life cycle cost calculation, which includes energy and repair costs. It makes it clear that the decision for or against the exchange of an old household appliance depends on many factors.
Of course, this includes the respective energy consumption of the devices. But the frequency of use in households also plays a crucial role, as well as the proportion of renewable energies in the electricity consumption of the budget.
Usage scenarios for different devices
How often dishwasher, dryer or vacuum cleaner are used in everyday life has a major impact on their environmental and cost balance. The need for possible repairs also depends on this factor. That is why the study looks at three different usage scenarios for each device.
This includes the average, intensive and extensive use. For average use, for example, households with two to four people were used.
The intensive use, on the other hand, refers to larger families or shared apartments. The respective devices are used up to 50 percent more often than in the average use.
For example, single households count for extensive use. Because here devices run only half as often as with the average use.
Old household appliances: You should replace these power eaters
The purchase of a electricity measuring device can be worthwhile to check the electricity consumption. In this way, consumers can check which old household appliances have now turned into a power guzzler.
This can be the case with freezers, for example. If they consume a lot of electricity, i.e. more than around 570 kilowatt hours a year, the exchange is worthwhile from a purely financial point of view. From an ecological point of view, on the other hand, the exchange would be worthwhile with a power consumption of more than 430 kilowatt hours per year.
With a refrigerator, the value is significantly below. According to the study results, the purchase of a new device makes sense from a electricity consumption of more than 240 kilowatt hours. In the case of cooling and freezing combination, the value is 340 kilowatt hours.
However, it should be noted that the new purchase is hardly worthwhile. Because the savings on electricity costs cannot compensate for the acquisition costs for a new device over its lifespan.
This also applies to the exchange of dishwasher. Because the exchange is also not worth it financially. In the case of rarely used devices, a repair can even be worthwhile in the event of a defect if it has at least energy class A+ and the repair costs are less than 300 euros.
In the case of wired vacuum cleaners, the benefit of a new purchase depends heavily on electricity consumption. With a vacuum cleaner with 1,200 watts or more, the exchange for the climate is worthwhile, according to the study results. This can be the case after two years if the device is often used and runs with more than 1,800 watts.
The situation is different with economical old devices. If they only consume a maximum of 900 watts, an exchange is neither financially nor ecologically sensible.
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The contribution of electricity guzzlers: When you should replace old household appliances first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard Or subscribe to our update newsletter.
As a tech industry expert, I understand the importance of energy efficiency in household appliances. Old appliances can be considered “electricity eaters” because they consume more electricity than newer, more energy-efficient models.
When deciding whether to replace old household appliances, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, look at the age of the appliance. If it is more than 10 years old, it is likely not as energy-efficient as newer models.
Secondly, consider the energy consumption of the appliance. Look for the Energy Star label, which indicates that the appliance meets or exceeds energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Lastly, consider the cost of operating the appliance. Older appliances may be cheaper upfront, but they can end up costing more in the long run due to higher energy bills.
Overall, replacing old household appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models can help save money on electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint. It is worth considering making the investment in new appliances to improve energy efficiency in your home.
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