Power-efficient electronics: Not just a bill saver, but a smart investment for the future

Just think about how many electronic devices are running around your home right now. The smartphone in your hand, the fridge in the corner of the room, the fan spinning on the ceiling, or the AC mounted on the wall—our lives today are unimaginable without electronics. But when you get the electricity bill at the end of the month while running all these devices, does your forehead crease? Or does it make you feel even slightly bad about the environment?

If your answer is “yes,” then this article is for you. Today, we will discuss “power-efficient electronics” or energy-saving appliances. This technology not only saves your pocket money but also helps keep our beautiful planet in good shape. It is not complicated rocket science, but a smart and responsible way to use technology daily.

What are power-efficient electronics?

In simple terms, power-efficient electronics are electronic devices that use less electricity than regular devices to do the same job.

Let’s take the example of a car. Suppose you have two cars. One car can travel 10 kilometers per liter of fuel, and the other 25 kilometers. Both vehicles will get you to your destination. But the second car will save you fuel costs and reduce environmental pollution. Power-efficient devices are just like a car that can travel 25 kilometers. An energy-efficient LED bulb can provide the same or better light with much less electricity than a regular bulb.

The main magic behind this is the development of technology. Engineers and scientists are constantly trying to find ways to reduce devices’ power consumption without reducing their efficiency. This is possible by using better processors, compressors, insulation, and management systems.

Why are energy-efficient appliances so important?

Many may wonder what else can be done by saving electricity! But the Indus River is made with a drop of water. Its importance can be judged from several aspects:

1. Economic benefits: Comfort in your pocket

This is the most direct and personal benefit. An energy-efficient refrigerator or AC may be slightly more expensive than a regular model at the time of purchase. But in the long run, the money it will save on your electricity bill is many times more than that extra cost. 

Let’s say, a 5-star inverter AC can reduce your bill by 5,000 to 10,000 taka per year compared to a regular AC. In 10 years, this amount of savings will be huge. It is a type of investment, the return you get in your hand every month when you pay your electricity bill.

2. Environmental benefits: A step towards a greener world

Most of the electricity we use is produced by fossil fuels. For example, by burning coal, gas, or oil. Burning this fuel releases carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases into the environment. This is responsible for global warming and climate change.

When we use less electricity, power plants also have to burn less fuel, which results in reduced carbon emissions and environmental pollution. Your decision to use an energy-saving appliance may be small, but when billions of people around the world make the same decision, it brings a huge positive change for the world.

3. Reducing pressure on the national grid

In many countries, especially in developing countries, there is a big gap between electricity demand and production. When everyone runs ACs or fans at the same time during the summer, there is huge pressure on the national grid, and load shedding becomes a common problem.

Increasing the use of energy-saving appliances reduces the overall electricity demand. As a result, the power grid remains stable. Problems like load shedding are reduced, and the need to build new power plants is also reduced. This helps save the country valuable resources and money.

4. Longer device durability and improved performance

Energy-efficient devices are usually made using cutting-edge technology. Due to low power consumption, their internal components heat up less. Excess heat reduces the lifespan of any electronic device. 

Therefore, power-efficient devices are often more durable or longer-lasting than regular devices. In addition, features like inverter technology reduce noise while running and provide much smoother performance.

How to identify energy-efficient electronics?

It can be not easy to understand which ones are energy-efficient among the thousands of products on the market. But a few simple ways will help you choose the right product.

Energy Star Rating or Label

Almost all countries worldwide now use a standard rating system to indicate the energy efficiency of electronic products. This system is called an “energy label” or “star rating.” For example, the United States has “Energy Star,” India has “BEE Star Rating,” and the European Union has its own energy label.

These labels usually have stars from 1 to 5. The more stars a product has, the more energy-efficient it is. A 5-star-rated fridge or AC will consume significantly less electricity than a 1-star or 2-star model. Therefore, checking this star rating before buying any major appliance is important.

Technical specifications

A lot can also be understood from the product description or specification. Some keywords or technical terms can help you make the right decision:

• Inverter Technology: This is a breakthrough technology in AC, refrigerators, or washing machine. Normal appliances run at a certain speed, stop when needed, and start at full power when needed. But inverter technology appliances can reduce or increase the speed of their motor as needed. As a result, electricity consumption is reduced by about 30-50%, and the appliance runs smoothly.

• LED (Light Emitting Diode): LED technology is now the most energy-efficient in lighting and TV screens. An LED bulb consumes about 90% less electricity than a normal filament bulb and about 50% less than a CFL bulb.

• BLDC Fan: Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor fans save about 60-65% electricity compared to a normal induction motor fan.

• “Standby Power” or “Vampire Power”: Many devices consume a small amount of electricity even when turned off, which is called vampire power. When buying, check the product description for its standby power consumption. The lower the better.

Some Common Appliances and Their Energy-Saving Alternatives

Let’s look at common home appliances and see how we can make them more energy-efficient.

1. Refrigerator or Fridge

A fridge is an appliance in our home that runs 24/7, 365 days a year. Hence, its electricity consumption is also very high.

• Old vs. new model: A 10-15-year-old fridge with modern inverter technology can consume almost double or more electricity than a 5-star fridge.

• Things to do: When buying a new fridge, choose a 5-star inverter compressor model. Avoid repeatedly opening the refrigerator door, and do not put hot food in it. Leave enough space behind the refrigerator for ventilation.

2. Air conditioner (AC)

In hot climate countries, AC is the main culprit for electricity bills.

• Non-inverter vs. inverter AC: A non-inverter AC keeps the house cool by repeatedly turning its compressor on and off. This draws a lot of electricity. On the other hand, an inverter AC maintains a constant temperature by controlling the compressor’s speed as needed, which consumes much less electricity.

• Things to do: Buy an AC with inverter technology and the highest star rating. Choose the right ton AC according to the size of the room. A high-ton AC in a very small room or a low-ton AC in a large room wastes electricity. Keeping the AC temperature at 26° Celsius is good for health and saves electricity.

3. Lighting or Lamps

We cannot live without light, but we can choose light sources smartly.

• Different generations of lamps:

• Incandescent (filament) bulbs are the most inefficient. Only 10% of the electricity they use is converted into light, and the remaining 90% is wasted as heat.

• CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp): About 75% more economical than filament bulbs.

• LED (Light Emitting Diode): Currently, the most economical and long-lasting technology. It uses 90% less electricity than filament bulbs and about 50% less than CFLs.

• Things to do: Periodically change all the lights in your house to LEDs. Make a habit of turning off the lights when not needed.

4. Computers and laptops

Computers are now our daily companions, whether for work or entertainment.

• Desktop vs. laptop: Generally, a laptop uses much less electricity than a desktop computer, because notebooks are designed to run on batteries.

• Things to do: If possible, use a laptop instead of a desktop. When not working on the computer, put it in “Sleep” or “Hibernate” mode. Reducing the brightness of the monitor also saves electricity. Use an “80 Plus” certified power supply (PSU) for your desktop, which is much more efficient in power conversion.

5. Television (TV)

The era of the old CRT (box) TV is over. Today’s flat screen TVs are much more energy-efficient.

• Screen technology: LED TVs are more economical than LCD TVs. Currently, OLED and QLED TVs use more advanced technology, which improves picture quality while keeping power consumption within a certain limit.

• Things to do: After watching TV, turn off the main switch with the remote, because the TV continues to consume little power even in standby mode.

Don’t just buy, use smartness.

Our responsibility does not end with buying an energy-efficient appliance. Its proper use is also very important to save electricity.

• Say goodbye to vampire power: Appliances like TVs, computers, mobile chargers, and microwave ovens consume a small amount of electricity even when turned off but plugged in. This is called “vampire power” or “phantom load”. These small expenses add up to a large amount at the end of the month. Therefore, turn off the main switch of the appliances after use or keep them unplugged. Using a power strip (multi-plug) is very convenient in this case, because turning off one switch turns off all the appliances together.

• Use the right settings: Do not keep the refrigerator temperature colder than necessary. Use cold water instead of hot water to wash clothes in the washing machine, because heating the water consumes the most energy.

• Regular maintenance: Clean the AC filter regularly. A dirty filter obstructs the air flow and forces the compressor to work harder, which increases electricity consumption. The refrigerator’s condenser coil should also be cleaned once a year.

On the road to the future: The next step in power-efficient electronics

Technology is not standing still. Innovations are also coming to the world of energy-saving appliances.

• Smart home and IoT (Internet of Things): Devices like plugs, lights, and thermostats are now readily available. These devices can adapt to your lifestyle. For example, smart ACs or lights will turn off automatically when you are not at home. You can control your home appliances remotely through an app to prevent unnecessary electricity consumption.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Future smart grids and smart homes will use AI to optimize electricity consumption further. AI will analyze usage patterns, predict when electricity demand will be low, and accordingly run appliances like your washing machine or dishwasher during cheaper times (off-peak hours).

• Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology: GaN semiconductors are now used in smartphone and laptop chargers instead of silicon. These chargers are much smaller, and less energy is wasted as heat during charging.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question 1: Are energy-efficient appliances always more expensive? 

Answer: Some energy-efficient models may cost a little more initially than regular models. But you can recoup this extra cost in a few years through savings on your electricity bill. It should be seen as a long-term investment. Moreover, with technological improvements, many more energy-efficient models are now available.

Question 2: Is “vampire power” or “standby power” really a concern? 

Answer: Yes. Although the standby power consumption of a single device may seem insignificant, this waste can amount to hundreds or thousands of taka per year for 15-20 devices in your home. When you think about it nationally, this amount of waste is huge.

Question 3: Is my old appliance still working well? Should I replace it? 

Answer: It depends on the appliance. If your fridge or AC is over 10-15 years old, it consumes much more electricity than a modern model. In that case, upgrading to a new energy-efficient model will be beneficial in the long run. You can calculate how much money the new appliance will save you annually and decide accordingly.

Question 4: What is the biggest change I can make to reduce my electricity bill?

Answer: It depends on where you live and your lifestyle. ACs consume the most electricity in hot climates, so replacing an old AC with an inverter AC can make the biggest difference. Similarly, replacing an old refrigerator or changing all the lights in your house to LED can also make a big difference.

Question 5: Are star ratings the same in all countries? 

Answer: No. Each country or region may have its rating standards. But the basic idea is the same—more stars or higher ratings mean more energy-efficient. Before buying a product, find out about the local rating system in your country.

Bottom line: One small step, one big change

The decision to use power-efficient electronics is not just a technological upgrade; it’s a lifestyle change. It’s a conscious decision that shows that you care about your own financial situation and the future of this planet.

The next time you buy an electronic product, don’t just base your decision on its design or features. Look at its energy label, learn about its technology, and consider how it will benefit you and the planet in the long run. These small, smart decisions from each of us can add up to a big and positive change toward a healthier, greener, and more sustainable future.