Choosing appliances with a Energy Rating Label is a great way to save energy at home which can also mean a lower power bill.
So how do the Energy Rating Labels work?
I’m sure you’ve seen the stickers with stars on large appliances like washing machines, dryers, dish washers and heat pumps. The more stars given means means more efficient, when compared to other models of a similar size and features. So the less energy the product will use means the more money you will save on your energy bills. Most products are given between 1 and 6 stars.
Energy Rating Labels have two important pieces of information: the star rating and the energy consumption.
Consumer NZ explains these below:
Star rating
The top half of the label has a star rating of up to 6 or 10 stars. The stars represent how energy efficient a model is compared to other models of the same size/capacity. The minimum number of stars is 1, and the scale increases in increments of half a star up to 6 stars. More stars = more energy efficient.
Some models qualify for a “super efficiency” rating of up to 10 stars. Ratings of 7 stars or more are in 1-star increments.
On some models, up to 4 bonus stars may be displayed to account for super-efficiency, taking it to a maximum of 10. Once an appliance reaches 7 stars, they increase in increments of 1 star. More stars are better.
Energy consumption
The middle of the label shows the annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A kWh is a measure of the energy used by an appliance. For example, a 55-inch TV uses 1kWh a day. Lower energy consumption figures are better.
You can use this figure to calculate how much that model would cost you based on the electricity price you pay (tariff). If you don’t have a power bill handy, the MBIE-reported national average cost of a kWh in New Zealand is 25¢ (so 3.45kWh = $1).
source: www.consumer.org.nz/articles/energy-rating-labels-explained
Which products require an Energy Rating Label?
- Household refrigerators
- Household freezers
- Household fridges/freezers
- Heat pumps/air conditioners
- Clothes washers
- Clothes dryers
- Dishwashers
- Computer monitors
- Televisions
Heat Pump labels in NZ have a new(ish) Zoned Energy Rating Label (ZERL), which displays more comprehensive information than the old labels. The new labels take into account the different climates throughout NZ e.g.it shows that a heat pump performs quite differently in homes in Whangarei and Christchurch.
You can read more about ZERL here and also what else you should look out for when buying a heating & cooling heat pump.
Or reach out to our customer service team who can take you through options suited towards your home, climate and budget.
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