When looking for the best energy performing appliances for your home pay attention to the ENERGY STAR displayed on washing machines, computers, fridges, freezers, dryers and dishwashers.
ENERGY STAR is the trusted symbol for energy efficiency helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.
The ENERGY STAR label was established in the USA in the 1990s by the US Government and is now used in Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and the European Union. Appliances carrying the logo generally use 20%–30% less energy according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
With the ENERGY STAR it's easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort.
Products can earn the ENERGY STAR label by meeting the energy efficiency requirements contained in ENERGY STAR product specifications.
These include:
- Qualified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.
- If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through utility bill savings, within a reasonable period of time.
- Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.
The accreditation process requires continued testing of products to ensure the mark reflects the latest in technology. The benchmark for the ENERGY STAR logo on a product is increased as there are:
- Technological changes with advances in energy efficiency which allow a revised ENERGY STAR specification to capture additional savings.
- A change in the US Federal minimum efficiency standards.
- Significant issues with consumers realising expected energy savings
- Performance or quality issues
- Issues with Test Procedure
If you want to find the best ENERGYSTAR products in New Zealand, Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority has a tool for finding the best options. http://www.energywise.govt.nz/standards-and-ratings/energy-star/energy-star-qualified-products
The US agency responsible for energy star produced a series of useful podcasts on the issues around energy efficiency appliances and you can hear them here: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_podcasts
