When buying a new electrical appliance, price is the main factor for many of us. But when it comes to long-term bang for your buck, the energy-star rating label reals the real cost of appliances. We breakdown how the Energy Rating Label works and what to look out for when you’re shopping for new appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Energy Rating Label on products sold in Australia, says Jared Mullane, Energy Editor at Canstar Blue, isn\u2019t as black and white as it might seem.
The star system \u2013 more stars indicate energy efficiency, less indicates otherwise \u2013 simply shows consumers how much electricity an appliance will use compared to a range of models with similar features and capacities. However, it doesn\u2019t individualise costs to your specific use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, there\u2019s also another piece of advice on every label that can be used to figure out the real running costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While some appliances may seem like a steal at first glance, they could end up costing you more in the long run<\/a> \u2014 this is where the Energy Rating Label<\/a> comes in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For most appliances, the Energy Rating Label<\/a> is pretty straightforward \u2013 the more stars on the label, the more energy-efficient the appliance. The label allows you to easily see how much electricity an appliance will use compared to a range of models with similar features and capacities. However, for cooling and heating, the introduction of the Zoned Energy Rating Label means it functions slightly differently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Zoned Energy Rating Label began rolling out back in 2019, and while it\u2019s most commonly seen on air-conditioners<\/a>, you may also see it on heaters too. Unlike the common six-star method, the Zoned Energy Rating Label<\/a> provides a rating based on the climate you live in \u2013 as the performance of air conditioners and heaters is often affected by the type of climate they operate in. The sticker provides an energy rating for three climate zones \u2013 hot, average and cold \u2013 allowing you to pick the appliance that performs best in your location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n