A guide to energy efficient appliances

Although you may save money upfront on the price of the machine, a lower star rating will indicate lower efficiency; consequently, the cheaper upfront appliances may cost you more in the long run than more energy-efficient appliances.

Televisions

Choosing your appliance:

• Usually, the bigger the screen, the more power it uses,¹⁰ so consider your needs and select the most efficient size.
• LEDs generally use less energy than plasma screens.
• Choose a TV that allows you to adjust brightness and contrast settings. Reducing the brightness will reduce the amount of power needed to generate the picture.

Tips for using it efficiently:

• Turn off televisions at the outlet, since standby mode still draws power.
• Don’t have a TV on in the background if you aren’t watching it.
• Turn off non-essential equipment when not in use (e.g. DVD players, Blu-rays, gaming consoles).

Computer monitors

Choosing your appliance:

• Like televisions, size matters when it comes to computer monitors. The smaller the screen, the more energy-efficient, so choose wisely.¹¹
• LCD or LED computer monitors are now the norm but are also the most efficient; if you still have an old cathode-ray tube monitor, consider upgrading it.

Tips for using it efficiently: 

• Power down when not in use; sleep/standby mode still draws energy.
• Turn off all appliances at the outlet when not in use or when you’re away from the house for extended periods (like holidays) so that you aren’t paying for electricity you’re not using!

Refrigerators and freezers

Choosing an energy-efficient fridge and freezer:

• Choose the right size fridge/freezer. For a household of one to two people, a fridge between 250 and 285 litres is usually sufficient.¹² A fridge with a capacity of 342-450 litres is typically ideal for three to four people, while five or more people would benefit from a 450+ litre capacity.
• Models with door alarms are great as they alert you if you’ve left the door ajar.
• Chest freezers are generally more efficient than upright freezers, so if you’re in the market for a separate, energy-efficient freezer, try looking at a chest freezer instead.¹²

^{Source: Australian Government: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources – Appliances.}

Tips for using it efficiently: 

• Don’t use an extra fridge or freezer unless necessary. If you have a beer/bar fridge, but it’s only used intermittently, empty it and only plug it in when required.
• Keep your fridge set between three and five degrees Celsius and your freezer between -15°C and -18°¹³ Each degree you decrease the temperature, you use up to five per cent more energy!
• Make sure there’s sufficient airflow in your fridge. Keep items a few centimetres away from the back, sides and top and never place items directly in front of the ventilation system.
• Try to position your fridge/freezer out of direct sunlight.
• Let hot items cool before putting them in the fridge/freezer (but don’t leave them out too long, as it’s a health risk).
• Never stack unfrozen items in the freezer; give them space to freeze and then rearrange as necessary.
• Maintain door seals and repair/replace as appropriate.

Washing machines

Choosing an energy-efficient washing machine:

• Make sure any washing machine you choose has the option of a cold-water cycle.
• The way your machine heats water is also a consideration; consider opting for models that offer both hot- and cold-water inputs (instead of one input with an internal heating element which use large amounts of power).
• Front loaders generally use less water, detergent and power, so consider opting for one of these over a top loader.¹
• Check for models with ‘load sensing’ technology; these will check the size of the washing load and adjust water amounts, wash cycles and spin times accordingly.
• If you have an off-peak tariff, look for models with delay start functions so that you can set the washing to come on during off-peak times when power rates are often reduced. Likewise, if you have solar power, a delay start function can time your appliances to run during the day when it’s sunniest.

Tips for using it efficiently: 

• Wash your clothes in cold water; it can reduce your energy usage from washing clothes by up to 85%!¹³
• If available, use the quick wash or economy cycle (there are even washing liquids that are specially formulated for fast/economy wash cycles).
• Separate your clothes by fabric weights, colours and dirt level. You may only need to wash delicates for a shorter time, so there’s no point tossing them in with heavy, sweaty workout gear.
• Always wash a full load instead of several smaller loads.

Clothes dryers

Choosing an energy-efficient dryer:

• Consider the different types of dryers. A traditional (vented) dryer is cheaper upfront but is less efficient and may cost more to run, so these are generally suited to those who rarely use a dryer (e.g. small households, those in warmer climates).¹⁴ The more heavy-duty dryers (condenser and heat pump) may be expensive at first, but their low running cost and higher energy rating means they’re suited for large households or frequent dryer users.
• Don’t forget to refer to the Energy Rating Label! And remember that it’s not all about the stars – the label will also tell you the annual energy consumption of the appliance.

Tips for using your appliance efficiently: 

• Use a clothesline or clothes rack and the sun as often as possible; clothes dryers are huge energy consumers, but the sun is free!
• Run the clothes dryer on a medium rather than high temperature.
• Don’t mix heavy clothing with lighter clothing as they have different drying times, and combining them will lengthen your overall drying time.
• Don’t overload the dryer and don’t over-dry your clothes.
• Try to partially dry your clothes outside and then pop into the dryer to finish; less time in the dryer means less energy consumed, which means lower bills.
• Clean your lint filter after every load to ensure maximum airflow and operating efficiency – and to reduce the risk of a fire!

Dishwashers

Choosing an energy-efficient dishwasher:

• Like washing machines, choose a dishwasher with an economy setting and one that offers dual hot and cold water connections (to capitalise on energy-efficient hot water systems such as solar, gas and off-peak).
• Try to select a dishwasher with at least a 3.5 star Energy Rating as well as an easily accessible filter for regular maintenance.

Tips for using it efficiently: 

• Don’t wash half loads; only run your dishwasher when it’s full.
• Choose your cycle wisely; lower temperature cycles with shorter times are more efficient (the pots and pans cycle usually runs at a very high temperature for a longer time, so don’t select that as a ‘default’).
• If allowed by your appliance (check the operating manual), open the dishwasher door and let your dishes to air dry instead of going through the drying cycle.
• Follow all recommendations for dishwasher maintenance and clean filters regularly.

Air conditioners

Choosing your appliance:

• Make sure the size of your system is suitable for the size of your room(s). Units that are too small for an area will constantly run without cycling off, which may be expensive, and units that are too large will waste energy. The right size unit for your space will depend on several factors (like your wall material and insulation), so having a professional help you in choosing is a good idea.¹⁵
• Aim for an air conditioning system rated at four stars or higher. Keep in mind, though, that not every type of air conditioner is required to have an Energy Rating Label (like evaporative and multi-split air conditioners), although some types may voluntarily have it, like ducted units.¹⁶
• Portable air conditioners aren’t as efficient as fixed systems (split or ducted),¹⁷ so consider installing fixed air conditioning systems instead.

Tips for using it efficiently:

• Set the temperature between 18°C and 20°C in winter and 25°C and 27°C in summer; these are the optimum temperature settings for comfort and operating efficiency.¹⁸
• If you have a reverse cycle system, make sure all doors and windows are closed so that you aren’t heating/cooling rooms unnecessarily or letting heat/cool escape.
• In warmer weather, anticipate the weather and turn on your air conditioning early as it operates more efficiently at moderate temperatures before your house heats up.
• Where possible, install your air-conditioner compressor unit in a shady spot with good airflow.
• Maintain your air conditioner regularly and always follow the filter cleaning instructions.

Ducted gas heating

Choosing an energy-efficient appliance:

• As well as the gas rating, consider the R-value of the system (indicating the level of insulation on the ductwork).¹⁹ You can aim for a system with an R-value of 1.0 or higher.
• If you can, get a ducted heating system with zoning capabilities. This means you can potentially save money and energy by heating just the areas you need, rather than your whole house.

Tips for using it efficiently:

• Set the temperature between 18°C and 20°C; every one degree higher than this can add an extra 10% to your energy bill.¹⁹
• Clean the return air grille’s filter once a month during the cold months (when you use your heater most), and service the gas furnace every two years to keep it running efficiently.