Energy rating labels provide consumers with information on the energy efficiency of a product.. There are two main types of labels:

Comparison Labels

Comparison labels allow consumers to compare the energy consumption of similar products, and factor lifetime running cost into their purchasing decision. These include:

• Energy Rating Label
• Swimming Pool Pumps Label
• Zoned Energy Rating Label

The Energy Rating Label is a mandatory comparison label. There are also voluntary comparison labels like the swimming pool pumps label. The Zoned Energy Rating Label is currently being developed for appliances installation locations impact on energy efficiency, performance and/or energy usage.

Endorsement Labels

Endorsement labels provide a ‘seal of approval’ to inform prospective purchasers that the product is highly energy efficient for its class. This includes:

• ENERGY STAR

The ENERGY STAR label is an endorsement label that is not regulated by the Australian Government. For information about the programme in New Zealand, visit the EECA website(link is external).

THE ENERGY RATING LABEL

Six star and ten star versions of the Energy Rating Label for televisions. The Energy Rating Label shows the energy performance of particular appliances and equipment.  It allows consumers to understand how much a particular model will cost to run, and also how energy efficient it might be in comparison to similar models. Why Does Energy Efficiency Matter? Energy efficient appliances use less electricity to achieve the same level of performance to similar models with the same size or capacity.  The more energy efficient a model, the less energy it will use and the less it will cost you to run.

How To Read The Label

The label has two key pieces of information on it: the energy consumption figure and the star rating. The air conditioner label is different to most other appliances’ labels, though. . Important: To compare models using the energy rating label, the models must be of a similar size or capacity. 1 Energy Consumption Figure The Energy Rating Label provides an estimate of how much energy (in kilowatt-hours or kWh) the appliance will use over a year.  This is based on assumptions about “average usage” and allows consumers to estimate how much it will cost them to run that appliance. However, actual energy consumption will depend on how an appliance is used and how often it is used. Factors like climate can also have a big influence on energy consumption (and efficiency) for some appliances.

Usage Assumptions

To calculate the energy consumption figure on the Energy Rating Label, the following usage assumptions have been used:

• Televisions and Computer Monitors = 10 hours use plus 14 hours in standby per day
• Fridges and Freezers = in use 24 hours per day
• Clothes Dryers = 1 full load per week
• Dishwashers = 7 uses per week at the ‘normal’ setting
• Clothes washers = 7 uses per week using a warm wash

Air Conditioners – the energy rating label on air conditioners is a little different and does not contain an annual energy consumption figure. Instead it provides a power input figure which shows how much energy it will use to produce the stated capacity output figure. The energy rating app or calculator can be used to estimate annual energy use.

2 Star Rating

The more stars on an appliance’s label, the more energy efficient it is. Efficient appliances use less electricity to achieve the same level of performance of similar models with the same size or capacity. The more energy efficient a model, the less energy it will use and the less it will cost you to run. Download our simple guide on how to read the Energy Rating Label.

What do the stars mean?

The labels on televisions, computer monitors, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, can show a maximum of ten stars. That is, the least efficient models have one star while the most efficient models can have up to ten stars. Where a model has 6 stars or less, it will be displayed on the label out of six stars, shown in half-star increments. Super-efficient models of 7 of 10 stars have the additional stars shown in a band above the regular six star label. There are no half star increments above 6 stars so products with 6-10 stars are shown in single star increments.

How are Star Ratings calculated?

The star rating of an appliance is determined from the energy consumption and size of the product. If you think of an air conditioner, for example, a model’s efficiency is the amount of cooling capacity (output) per unit of energy it consumes (input). For a television, a model’s efficiency is related to its screen size. Algorithms allocate the lowest performing products one star performance in most instances and better performing products are awarded more stars. Detailed information on performance standards can be found on the product page for each appliance. The appliance’s relevant test standard, for example Australian and New Zealand Standards, define these algorithms and test procedures for measuring energy consumption and minimum energy performance criteria. Appliances must meet these criteria before they can be granted an Energy Rating Label. A continuous improvement in appliance performance over time has meant that many of the products meet the performance requirements for 4, 5 or 6 stars on their label.  The label design for all product categories has now been changed to incorporate up to ten stars rather than a maximum of six stars.  This introduced a tougher standard for calculating star ratings which prevents clustering and encourages manufacturers to keep improving the energy efficiency of appliances. The star ratings of all appliances are reviewed from time to time and the star rating formulae are changed as appliance efficiency improves.

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