Don't be Fooled - Check Appliances for their Energy-Efficiency Claims

Efficiency is a critical goal in both cost savings and reducing environmental impact. Not all product claims can live up to their promises, although they do try. Marketing people over-sell. Salespeople over-promise. And nowhere do you see the names of the organisations who performed the tests or made the claims.

Here is an important cautionary message for consumers and businesses.
Well – I am not actually addressing businesses – their marketing divisions employ the very charlatans I am talking about in: "Don't be fooled by energy-saving claims on products."

I have a Doctorate in Mathematics, and I can tell you there are THREE types of Mathematician: Those who can do maths, and those who can’t!

Calculate Energy Requirements Costs for Yourself

The power a hamster can create by running on it’s wheel, and how many you would need to power 1 household.

Right so, a hamster can output 0.5 watthour. A household needs around 11 megawatt-hours to run.
0.0005 kilowatt per hamster, 11000 kilowatts per house.
This means you would need 22,000,000 hamsters per house hold…
for 5 hours a night, if all was to run at the exact same time.

Now. Calculate = The space you will need to house those 22 million hamsters.
Plus their food and water. And electricity.
Plus their Keepers need to be fed. And paid. And housed. And they want benefits and weekends off.

And... well... you get the picture?

Here are some reasons to be cautious when evaluating energy-saving claims.

- Most people cannot do more than Basic Maths.
- Only some people are REALLY interested in “the environment”, or “sustainable environment”.
- Very few people who fare better than Group 1 – exist in Group 2.

Keep this in mind while you read about -

The Deliberately Vague Energy Efficiency Terminology: such as "green," "eco-friendly," or "energy-efficient" – which have all been milked to death. Without any concrete data presented to support these claims, it is important to look out for specific metrics or certifications, such as the ENERGY STAR label.

Misleading Energy Efficiency Labels: Energy-saving labels are not created equal. Some companies “create” their own standards, but present no third-party verification. Labels like ENERGY STAR, are backed by reputable organizations.

While is the US government-backed symbol for energy efficiency - The blue ENERGY STAR label may have provided simple, credible, and unbiased information in the past – but the Trump administration neutered and gutted the EPA. Consumers and businesses used to rely on this information to make well-informed decisions, and now cannot.

But Wait! There's More . . .

Overstated Savings: Products that promise unrealistic energy savings are the fantasies of marketing departments everywhere. And the bigger the corporate legal company is – the more exaggerated the claims can be.

While significant savings are possible with energy-efficient products, claims that apper too good to be true are too good to be true.

Do your own research to determine what is a reasonable expectation.

Hidden Costs: Oh – you never imagined that saving money will cost some money? Some energy-saving products may have “hidden” costs, such as higher upfront prices or maintenance expenses.

The costs were never “hidden”.

YOU failed to consider the total cost of ownership, including purchase, installation, and long-term operating costs.

It is not the manufacturer’s/salespersons’ business to point out to you how gullible or stupid you are.

Inconsistent Performance: In case you never thought about it - the performance of energy-saving products varies based on factors such as temperature, climate, usage patterns, and the specific environment. Atmospheric pressure – changes living on the coast or inland.

A product that's highly efficient in one context may not perform as well in another.

The Art of Compact Living

Bring life to Compact Living by outfitting your Compact Lifestyle space with the optimum small home appliances.
Smart choices make the seemingly utilitarian approach a happy and liveable one.

My small home appliances Guide to Compact Living saves you from the heart-ache and pain of becoming a victim of "Buying Junk You Dont Need"! I cut through the veil of marketing BS to present you with the "short-and-sweet", no-nonsense version - of Important Things to Buy - That Work.

Think About and Watch For -

Obsolete Technology: Within 5 years . . .

Incomplete Information: Be skeptical. Products that do not provide detailed information about how they save energy or reduce costs – are coasting on your laziness. Energy-saving product manufacturers usually go out of their way to be transparent about their operation and benefits.
To BEAT their competitors.

No Independent Testing: Independent testing ensures that the claims made by the manufacturer are accurate. Such as a Bureau of Standards.

Inadequate Warranty: How long is the warranty for? And DO NOT expect the same warranty on a cheap product as one for an expensive product from the same manufacturer.

Material qualities, technologies used and mechanisms involved all differ.

Ensure that the product comes with a reasonable warranty for peace of mind.

Lack of User Reviews: Reading reviews from other users can be a valuable source of information. But not to be relied upon. Find QUALIFIED Reviews. Done by organisations who are not manufacturers.

With people who have names – that if Googled, turn up results for people who have some qualification to their names.

A review from Joe Shmoe on FarceBook, who does “stuff” and eats “other stuff” – is not a reliable source of information.

If a product lacks reviews or has predominantly negative ones, it might not be as energy-efficient as claimed.

Don't be Fooled - Check Appliances for their Energy-Efficiency Claims

Calculate Energy Requirements Costs for Yourself

Here are some reasons to be cautious when evaluating energy-saving claims.

But Wait! There's More . . .

Think About and Watch For -

In Summary

Other Articles in the Compact Lifestyle Guide.