With more time spent in the home, many people are realising the cost of running appliances and the real value in sustainable, energy-efficient domestic appliances. In a country with escalating electricity prices, investing in energy efficient domestic appliances is not only the environmentally responsible move, it’s also a financial imperative for most households. While access to electricity in South African has more than doubled since 1994, the cost of electricity has risen significantly with constraints on the grid and loadshedding prompting increased energy saving techniques.

Often older household appliances manufactured before there was much understanding about the need for drastic energy saving measures use significantly more energy than modern made appliances. Many high end appliance manufacturers, such as Defy, are focusing on energy efficiency in design and development. This is in line with the South African Department of

Energy’s programme to drive energy efficient appliances that are compliant with the Minimum Energy Performance Standards(MEPS). They even offer a user friendly Appliance Energy Calculator App for evaluating accurate energy use.

Why it’s worth investing in energy efficient appliances in South Africa

By investing in Defy energy efficiency appliances, consumers are benefiting from massive savings in terms of energy use. With the increased pressures placed on the environment and resultant global warming, sustainable domestic appliances are fast becoming the only realistic option for consumers. While the extensive technological developments do place a higher price on energy efficient appliances, these costs are quickly offset by the massive savings on the electricity bill.

Defy is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of sustainable domestic appliances, boasting significant advantages for South African consumers.

Here’s a look at some of the innovative technologies available.

1. Chest freezers energy consumption

Because these particular household appliances operate for 24 hours a day, they are some of the biggest culprits in terms of energy use. To ensure consumers are investing in energy efficient freezers, the aforementioned MEPS have been set out, with freezers having an energy efficiency rating of Class C or better. One of the biggest considerations when investing in an item like a chest freezer is the size of the appliance. Don’t invest in something that is too large for your needs, or you will end up wasting energy.

What is the most energy efficient freezer?

When it comes to energy efficiency, the Multimode Chest Freezer is an example of Defy’s superior sustainability. With an A energy rating, the freezer consumes 20% less energy than the Class B freezer, reducing electricity costs and benefiting the environment. This model also has Defy’s new ‘Chill In’ technology which is a superior cooling retention feature that keeps food frozen for at least 36 hours. In terms of loadshedding or interrupted power supply, food is kept frozen for much longer, which means savings on food and electricity.

2. How much electricity does a dishwasher use in South Africa?

Although energy consumption by dishwashers is significantly lower than a constantly running appliance like a fridge/freezer , or a high heat energy appliance such as a tumble dryer , the dishwasher still needs a significant amount of water and electricity for one cycle. The MEPS set out for dishwashers are now an energy efficiency rating of Class A or higher. Again, the size of the dishwasher is an important consideration – for a single person, there are significantly smaller models that save on water and electricity.

Defy dishwasher power consumption

As a leading manufacturer of dishwashers, Defy has some incredible energy efficient innovations that allow consumers to save on costs. One of these is the Defy CornerWash 15 piece dishwasher which boasts a number of key features, including:
● An A++ energy rating which saves 30% more energy than an A rated machine.
● A half load setting which saves significantly more energy and water than a full load cycle. This means consumers can also buy a bigger machine, even if it's going to be used less.
● The auto programme means this Defy product has dirt sensors that govern the cleanliness of the dishes. It’s practical and economical, using the minimum required water and electricity.
● The Defy Cornerwash technology is a specialised elliptical three spray arm with specially designed nozzles at the bottom of the machine that spins at different angles.
● This allows water and detergent to reach every corner, which means less water used
● and there is no need to soak or pre scrub dish

3. Washing machine energy efficiency

This household appliance is often used daily, which means an energy efficient model is a worthwhile investment. The modern energy star certified washing machines can use 50 percent less energy and 55 percent less water than standard models. Generally, the front loader models require less laundry detergent than the top loaders, which can result in even more savings.

Most energy efficient washing machine in South Africa

Defy’s front loader washing machines come with the latest in technological innovation, the Defy SteamCure™ technology . This lifts dirt better for an easier clean, and softens creases to reduce the need for ironing. In fact, Defy’s SteamCure™ washing machines use steam to hygienically clean the garments alongside saving you energy. The steam warrants reduced water consumption and, therefore, less effort by the machine motor. With less energy being used, the machine offers a quicker cycle which also saves on time. The washing machine is available in 8kg, 10kg and 12kg models.

4. Ovens power consumption

Consumers looking to replace older appliances with sustainable domestic appliances should consider the oven first. Electric ovens use a lot of heat and thereby consume a lot of energy when used. As with the washing machines, ovens are often used daily so it’s important to consider the energy rating. The current MEPS set out for electric ovens is a class B for bigger ovens, and Class A for smaller ovens.

Most energy efficient Defy ovens:

For delicious cooking in a much shorter time, Defy has created Thermofan+™ technology for an unprecedented cooking and baking experience. Thermofan+™ includes innovations such as a redesigned fan with an improved venting system to create ultra efficient heat circulation which optimises cooking time. This means improved energy efficiency with every meal!

5. Tumble dryer energy ratings

Finally, one of the most energy intensive appliances available is the tumble dryer which requires significant amounts of energy to dry clothes. The MEPS for tumble dryers is set at an energy rating of Class D, and a key consideration is the cost involved in running the tumble dryer.

Energy efficient tumble dryers South Africa:

Using Heat Pump technology , Defy is able to save on energy because, unlike traditional vent and condenser dryers, the hot air used to dry the clothes is not released. Defy’s Heat Pump technology combines the technology of air conditioners and a condenser dryer to create an efficient system that dries laundry by condensing water out of garments while using minimal energy. The tumble dryer’s capacity ranges from 3kgs to 9kgs, so it’s worth determining what size is needed as ‘the bigger the better’ is not the case with tumble dryers. Investing in sustainable domestic appliances doesn’t mean doing a complete overhaul of your household inventory immediately, but as and when appliances can be replaced, it’s certainly worth considering the Defy energy efficient range.