Eco-Efficiency and Your Home Appliances We’re talking eco-efficiency in the Betta Advice corner, including how to choose more energy and water efficient appliances for your home. Eco-efficiency is all about reducing the impact of individual households on the environment. As energy and water prices rise, and environmental awareness increases, eco-efficiency is more important than ever. Choosing appliances that use less water and energy can help reduce everyday household running costs while supporting a more efficient home. In Australia, there are two important rating systems that help consumers compare new appliances and household products. These rate the energy and water efficiency of products respectively. Ratings are simple to understand and are presented in an easy star system, where the more stars shown, the more efficient the product is compared to similar models. WELS Rating WELS is short for Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards. The scheme helps reduce water waste in Australia and helps people compare products that use water before they buy. WELS labels show a star rating for household products that use water. The more stars shown, the more water efficient the product is. WELS-regulated products include washing machines, dishwashers, showers, toilets, taps and flow controllers. This includes: Washing machines Dishwashers Showers Toilets Taps Water Rating Water efficiency is most noticeable in taps and showerheads, so it’s important to select the right one for your home. There’s no use choosing the most water-efficient showerhead available if it leaves you unhappy with the result. If possible, speak with a plumber about finding the right water efficiency setup for your bathroom. When comparing products, look for the WELS label and consider both the star rating and the water consumption information. Energy Rating Energy ratings help show how efficient an appliance is compared with similar models. The labels also show an estimate of how much energy an appliance will use in a year, listed as kilowatt hours per year, or kWh/year. It’s important to compare not just star ratings, but also the energy consumption figure if you want to choose the most energy efficient appliance possible. Energy ratings are displayed on a range of household appliances, including: Refrigerators Freezers Washing machines Clothes dryers Dishwashers Air conditioners Televisions For highly efficient appliances, energy rating labels can show up to 10 stars. The more stars an appliance has, the more energy efficient it is compared to similar models of the same size and type. Eco-efficiency can make a real difference when choosing appliances for your home. By checking energy and water rating labels, comparing similar models and considering how each appliance will be used day to day, you can make a more informed choice. Ready to make your home more efficient? Explore Betta’s range of energy-efficient fridges and washing machines online or in store, with buying guides available to help you choose the right appliances for your household.
