Energy efficient appliances are better than ones with lower efficiency for two reasons: they save you money on those power bills and reduce the impact your household has on the environment.
But how do you know how energy efficient your appliances are? Whether you've just arrived in the Land of the Long White Cloud or are a born-and-bred Kiwi who wants to help out the environment (and cut down your electricity costs), here's what you need to know about energy efficiency ratings in New Zealand.
We've made a great deal of headway when it comes to improving the efficiency of products such as air conditioners, heaters and refrigerators. Heat pumps are now 50 per cent more efficient than they were back in 2001, and fridges now use 60 per cent less energy than they did 25 years ago, according to the Australian Government's Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
These strides have been made as the result of more stringent standards governing the manufacture of household appliances. In New Zealand, the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 has been instrumental. It outlines requirements that manufacturers and importers must adhere to in order to ensure a minimum standard of energy efficiency of products for sale in New Zealand.
Energy Rating Labels (ERLs) contain information about the amount of energy that a household appliance uses in a year, along with a star rating to indicate its energy efficiency. The star rating enables you to compare different models of the same appliance and determine which one will give you better value in the long-term. The more stars an appliance has, the more energy efficient it is.
Beneath the star rating on the ERL is the appliance's yearly energy consumption in kWh. The lower the number, the less electricity the appliance uses and the cheaper it will be to run.
One fridge may cost significantly more than another, but have a much higher star rating than the cheaper model and consume far less energy per year. In this case, it could be more cost-effective for you to purchase the fridge that costs more, as the energy you conserve over the course of several years will end up saving you a lot more - all while reducing your environmental footprint.
The EECA believes this compulsory label is more influential on consumer purchases than the ENERGY STAR® mark. Therefore, this one's going to stick around once the ENERGY STAR® mark phases out.
In addition to selecting products that have a good energy rating, there are other ways you can make your household energy use more efficient. Check out these energy saving tips to find out how to use your appliances in a more sustainable way.
You can also choose a power company that prioritises smart energy. The best energy providers are those that invest in sustainable sources of energy and champion energy efficient products. Contact is committed to efficient energy use, which is why we've developed apps and smart meters designed to help you monitor your energy usage. Get in touch if you'd like to know more about our energy plans that suit you.
