The Energy Star Rating
The iconic red, black and yellow energy star label you see on appliances isn’t exactly new, but is one of the best tools to use when you’re looking to cut down on your heating and cooling bills and shrink your carbon footprint. The system is regulated by the government, and has been around for more than 30 years.
The stars are all about energy efficiency, so they make it easy to compare how much energy an appliance uses in comparison to other makes and models of the same size. The more stars you see, the more efficient the appliance will be according to standardised testing in both Australia and New Zealand. Ratings usually vary between one and six, though with advancing technology making appliances more efficient than ever, sometimes they’ll go up to 10.
But how does all this help you? When you’re in the market for a new heater, fan or air conditioner, using the energy rating to make your choice will help give you a good indication of how much money you’ll spend running it. Start by choosing the style of the appliance (portable, radiant, fan), then the size you’ll need to regulate the temperature of the space you’re using it in.