Top Tips for Buying Energy Efficient Appliances
As we all know, large household appliances use large amounts of energy – which can lead to costly power bills. Thankfully, there are ways you can cut your power costs when choosing appliances for your home. Here are our top tips for purchasing energy-efficient appliances.
Consider the following:
- How will the appliance be disposed of at the end of its life?
- What size product is right for your needs?
- What is the appliance’s energy rating?
Important Points for Fridges or Freezers
Fridges and freezers are some of the most energy-consuming appliances in your home. Here are some tips to help you choose an energy-efficient fridge/freezer for your home:
- Use the Energy Rating website to compare energy efficiency
- Ensure the appliance is the right size for your needs
- Measure the space in your kitchen to ensure proper ventilation
Important Points for Washing Machines
Washing machines are an essential appliance in most households, and different models can vary greatly in energy use. Here are some tips to help you choose an energy-efficient washing machine for your home:
- Use the Energy Rating website to compare energy efficiency.
- Front loaders are usually more efficient than top loaders.
- Choose a size that matches your household's requirements.
- Almost all of the energy of a washing machine uses goes into heating water. Look for a model that has separate hot and cold water connections, and use cold wash as much as possible (Bonus if it has an economy cycle, auto load sense and high spin speed to cut down on energy use.).
Important Points for Clothes Dryers
Clothes dryers use enormous amounts of energy; a standard clothes dryer can add up to 33 kilograms of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere for each load. Here are some tips to help you choose an energy-efficient dryer for your home:
- Use the Energy Rating website to compare energy efficiency.
- Gas-fired or heat pump models are also available – they are more expensive to buy and install, but are generally much cheaper to run in the long term.
- Choose a model with a moisture sensor as well as a timer. Perma press cycles are also a good option – these switch off heat towards the end of the cycle and use residual heat to finish the dry.
Important Points for Dishwashers
The dishwasher has evolved from a luxury item for the more fortunate among us, to a staple appliance in almost every household. Here are some tips to help you choose an energy-efficient dishwasher for your home:
- Use the Energy Rating website to compare energy efficiency.
- Look for a model with a quality range of programs, especially economy options. This means the dishwasher’s performance level will match your wash requirements every time – no wasting energy on a small wash!
- Make sure the size of the dishwasher matches your household’s needs.