Did you know your appliances may account for a whopping 30% of your home energy use?1 With household electricity and gas prices having risen considerably over the last 15 years as well,2 you might now be wondering if there’s anything you can do to reign in your energy bills.
Fortunately, there are two fairly simple ways you can cut your energy bill to ribbons: buying the right appliances and using them efficiently. We’ll take you through how to do both of these things now.
When purchasing a new appliance, the cost is almost always a deciding factor, but bear in mind that the Energy and Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) ratings may be a helpful indicator of an appliance’s ‘hidden’ cost (e.g. its running costs).
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.
Think carefully and consider choosing a device with a higher efficiency rating, but be aware it is more expensive than other options.
Energy Rating is a government scheme for rating the energy efficiency (and therefore running costs) of household appliances in Australia.3 Appliances are sold with a label indicating their Energy Star Rating, which gives an indicator of the appliance’s energy efficiency and usage when compared to similar models.
The comparative energy usage figure cited on the product is usually measured in kilowatt-hours/year, which can give you an idea of how much electricity it will use over a year. The lower the kilowatt-hours/year, the lower your energy usage, which should equate to lower energy bills.
The higher the star rating, the more efficient the appliance. Most will have a star rating between one and six, but some of the more energy-efficient appliances can even be rated out of 10 stars.
The following appliances must be sold with Energy Rating Labels:4
From 2021, pool pumps will also be required to meet the minimum energy performance standards and display a rating label.5
You may see two stickers on appliances like dishwashers and washing machines in shops; one will be the Energy Rating sticker while the other will be the WELS sticker, which rates the water efficiency of the appliance.6 Like the Energy Rating Label, WELS ratings are between one and six stars, and more stars equal more water efficiency.
Appliances that are sold with WELS rating stickers include:7
Unlike the Energy Rating and WELS labels, the gas rating scheme is industry-led rather than government-regulated.8 You’ll find these labels on:
Even though this labelling scheme isn’t implemented by the government, these gas appliances still require the label as part of the product certification.9 Gas rating labels have six stars (the more stars, the more efficient) and also display the product’s estimated annual gas consumption.
Choosing your appliance:
Tips for using it efficiently:
Choosing your appliance:
Tips for using it efficiently:
Choosing an energy-efficient fridge and freezer:
Source: Australian Government: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources – Appliances.
Tips for using it efficiently:
Choosing an energy-efficient washing machine:
Tips for using it efficiently:
Choosing an energy-efficient dryer:
Tips for using your appliance efficiently:
Choosing an energy-efficient dishwasher:
Tips for using it efficiently:
Choosing your appliance:
Tips for using it efficiently:
Choosing an energy-efficient appliance:
Tips for using it efficiently:
Selecting energy-efficient appliances and developing energy-efficient habits can go a long way to helping you reduce your energy usage and keep those power bills in check. To further reduce your energy bills, consider regularly reviewing your energy provider.
Shopping around and comparing your options is a great way to potentially look for a new energy provider. Comparing through our energy comparison service is also fast and free, so why not try it out today?
1 Australian Government: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources – Appliances. Last updated September 2020. Accessed October 2020.
2 Australian Energy Regulator – Annual retail markets report 2019-20. Published November 2020. Accessed January 2021.
3 Energy Rating – The Energy Rating Label. Accessed October 2020.
4 Energy Rating – Labelling. Accessed October 2020.
5 Energy Rating – Swimming pool pumps. Accessed January 2021.
6 Water Rating – Water rating label. Last updated November 2017. Accessed October 2020.
7 Water Rating – Products that must be registered. Last updated November 2017. Accessed October 2020.
8 Australian Government: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources – Energy rating – appliances. Last updated December 2020. Accessed January 2021.
9 Sustainability Victoria – Energy rating labels. Accessed January 2021.
10 NSW Government: Energy Saver – Televisions. Last updated July 2019. Accessed October 2020.
11 Sustainability Victoria – Computers. Accessed October 2020.
12 Energy Rating – Fridges. Accessed October 2020.
13 Australian Government: Your Home – Appliances. By Chris Reidy and Geoff Milne. Last updated June 2020. Accessed October 2020.
14 Energy Rating – Dryers buyers guide. Accessed January 2021.
15 Energy Rating – Size matters. Accessed November 2020.
16 Energy Rating – Air conditioners. Accessed January 2021.
17 Australian Government: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources – Heating and cooling. Last updated June 2020. Accessed October 2020.
18 Australian Government: Your Home – Heating and cooling. Last updated June 2020. Accessed October 2020.
19 Sustainability Victoria – Understand heating options for your home. Accessed January 2021.