Frequently Asked Questions – Energy Rating Label

Is the energy rating label a government seal of approval? The energy rating label is a source of consumer information about the energy consumption of major electrical household appliances – all of the specified appliance types must carry a label. Although the scheme is operated by governments and appliances must meet certain minimum performance standards, the scheme does not provide any guarantee of appliance quality or durability.
Is the energy rating label a seal of energy efficiency? The energy label is a tool to help consumers compare appliances with similar characteristics on the basis of energy consumption. Good and poor efficiency ratings are shown.
Does the energy rating label show the actual amount of energy an appliance will consume once installed in a home? The energy rating label is an estimate of the energy an appliance will consume in kilowatt-hours (kWh) under standard conditions. The conditions of tests in Australian Standards try to replicate actual use as closely as possible. However, actual energy consumption will depend on how an appliance is used and how often it is used. Factors like climate can also have a big influence.
Is the energy rating label a safety label? The energy rating label is a graphic representation of an appliance’s energy efficiency relative to similar models. Safety requirements are defined under different regulations and reference separate Australian Standards.
Is the energy rating  label a promotional rating determined by manufacturers? The energy rating label is a source of information about each product that is measured by the manufacturer using standard testing procedures. All labels are registered under Government regulations and information provided is supported by detailed test reports. The program is jointly operated by governments, consumer groups and manufacturers.
Who operates the appliance Energy Rating Label scheme? The appliance energy rating label scheme is a joint initiative of Australian, State and Territory Governments and the New Zealand Government.
What is the purpose of the Energy Rating Labels? When looking to buy an appliance many people compare the size, features, price and running costs of the appliance. The appliance Energy Rating Label acts as an efficiency indicator – telling the potential buyer how energy efficient the product is and the amount of electricity used to run the appliance to allow a fair comparison between products.As reducing the demand for electricity production reduces greenhouse gas emissions, buyers who purchase a more energy efficient product will also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse pollution in Australia.
What appliances carry the Energy Rating Label? In Australia, most major categories of home appliances are required to carry an energy rating label, including:

  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Dishwashers
  • Clothes Washers
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Air Conditioners
  • Televisions

It is compulsory for manufacturers to put an Energy Rating Label on every product.
What are the key features of the Energy Rating Label? The two key features of the Energy Rating Label are that it:

  • Rates the energy efficiency of the appliance on a scale of 1 to 10 stars, increasing in half-star increments  up to 6 stars and full stars thereafter.
  • The more stars, the more energy efficient an appliance is. Efficient products use less electricity to achieve the same level of performance of similar models with the same size and capacity.
  • Appliances that are labelled up to 6 stars are considered ‘efficient’ while those above 6 are defined as ‘super efficient.’
  • Tells you how much energy the appliance uses in kilowatt-hours when tested to the relevant Australian Standard.
How are Energy Ratings measured? Manufacturers who product/import appliances for the Australian market are required to submit their products to an approved testing agency. Testing is undertaken and the appliance’s energy consumption and overall performance is determined. This testing information is used to calculate the appliance’s hourly or annual kilowatt-hour (kWh) and its corresponding star rating. Appliances must also conform to any relevant performance requirements in the relevant Australian Standard before they can be granted an Energy Rating Label.
Why did the label need to change The energy rating label has been in existence for over 25 years, and over that time continuous improvements in appliance performance has caused star ratings to cluster at the top of the range. Changing the label design also included the introduction of a tougher standard for calculating star ratings which provides a more meaningful guide to consumers and encourages manufacturers to keep improving the energy efficiency of appliances. The star ratings of all appliances are reviewed from time to time and the star rating formulae are changed as necessary.