Building a custom home creates opportunities to make choices that support comfort, functionality, and long-term performance. While layout and design details often receive much of the attention, appliances also play an important role in how efficiently a home operates. Here’s a look at the benefits they offer, how much you could save, and the types of appliances to consider.

Benefits of Investing in Energy-Efficient Appliances

Energy-efficient appliances offer benefits that extend beyond lower energy use to create a more comfortable home.

• Reduced Energy Usage: Using modern appliances will help you use less energy in your home, even if your energy usage habits remain the same. Be sure to look for devices that feature the blue ENERGY STAR logo, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.
• Reduced Utility Costs: While ENERGY STAR appliances may have higher upfront costs compared to traditional appliances, they save a typical household about $450 on their energy bills each year.
• Improved Indoor Air Quality: ENERGY STAR devices, from bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to heating and cooling systems, have air sealing requirements. This provides cleaner air to breathe and lowers exposures to seasonal outdoor allergens and asthma triggers.
• Integrated Smart Technology: More and more appliances are adding smart features, which allow them to be controlled via smartphones. You could check your phone to see what’s in the refrigerator, adjust the AC if you forgot to before leaving the house, and more.

Types of Energy-Efficient Appliances

From heating and cooling systems to kitchen and laundry appliances, there are many opportunities to improve energy efficiency.

• HVAC: Nearly 50% of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills and your comfort.
• Refrigerators: Certified refrigerators are about 9% more energy efficient than standard models. They offer better temperature and defrost mechanisms, compressors that create less heat and use less energy, and insulation that helps food stay cold.
• Washing Machines: Modern washing machines are worth the investment because they use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water. They also don’t have an agitator, making the wash gentler and extending the lifespan of clothing.
• Clothes Dryers: Energy-efficient clothes dryers use sensors to detect when clothes are dry and automatically stop the cycle, reducing unnecessary energy use. They also operate at lower temperatures.
• Dishwashers: Certified dishwashers include several innovations like soil sensors, improved water filtration, and better jets. Plus, boosting water temperatures to 140 degrees allows for improved disinfection.

Design With Efficiency in Mind

At Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design, we build custom homes that fit the lifestyles of our clients, and incorporating energy-efficient appliances is just one aspect. Our residential architects work efficiently throughout the process while seamlessly integrating the latest design trends, sustainable practices, and advanced technologies to create beautiful and functional homes. Contact us today to see how we can transform your living spaces and bring your vision to life.