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Understand the Energy Rating Label
Get to know the Energy Rating Label so you can convey the information to consumers.
The Energy Rating Label
The Energy Rating Label helps customers make informed choices about the appliances they buy. It does this by providing information about two important features of the appliance, the star rating and the energy consumption.
Star rating
The star rating shows the energy efficiency of an appliance.
The more stars an appliance has, the less energy it uses - and the more money the customer will save on electricity.
The energy efficiency of a product is calculated by comparing the amount of output the appliance delivers with the amount of energy it consumes to deliver this output. For example, for air conditioners, a model’s cooling efficiency is based on the amount of cooling it provides (output) per unit of energy it consumes (input) when tested under standard conditions.
To use the star rating, it is important that the customer is comparing similar products. In other words, comparing models that are a similar size and have similar features. Star ratings are not comparable between products that are not similar.
Changes in ratings and labels
Continuous improvement in appliance performance has meant many products now meet the performance requirements for 4, 5 or 6 stars on their label.
The label design has been changed to incorporate up to 10 stars to encourage manufacturers to keep improving the energy efficiency of appliances. Products with more than 6 stars are known as 'super efficient' appliances and have an extra row of stars on the label.
The star ratings of all appliances are also reviewed from time to time and the star rating formulas are changed as appliance efficiencies improve. This means that star ratings on new products may not be comparable with star ratings on products that were purchased a long time ago.
Energy consumption
The energy consumption figure 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.
The lower the energy consumption number, the less a model costs to run – and the less the customer pays on their electricity bill.
It is important to note that the energy consumption figure on the label is an estimate only. The actual energy consumption will depend on how an appliance is used, and in what climate.
Estimated running costs
With the energy consumption on the label, you can work out the estimated running cost of the appliance by applying the following formula.
Annual running cost = Total energy consumption kWh × Electricity tariff (dollars per kWh)
For example, if a fridge has an energy consumption of 318 kWh and the average tariff in your state is $0.307 per kWh — then the estimated annual running cost per year is $97.63 (318 kWh x $0.307).
More information
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What product usage assumptions are made for the Energy Rating Label?
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.
- Swimming pool pumps = pumping 50,000 litres of water per day.
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How do I find my electricity tariff?
Electricity tariffs are found in the service calculation section of an electricity bill. Using the peak rate will show you the maximum cost to run the appliance.
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How do products get an Energy Rating Label?
A product will be granted an Energy Rating Label when it is registered, if it meets the requirements in the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Determination for that product, including Minimum Energy Performance Standards.
Download our simple guide on how to read the Energy Rating Label
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