What you can do

Living Sustainably

Energy Smart

Energy ratings and standards

ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR is an international standard for energy efficient electronic equipment. Products with ENERGY STAR compliance have "stand-by" or "sleep" mode, where energy consumption is lowered when the equipment is not in use.

Although ENERGY STAR compliance provides savings, manufacturers and regulating authorities are investigating ways of reducing "idle" power levels even further.

For optimal energy savings, switch off electrical equipment rather than rely on "stand-by" mode. Also, check that your equipment has the energy saving mode switched on or enabled – it is not standard protocol for manufacturers to enable this by default.

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) regulates and ensures products comply with Australian Standards and energy performance targets.

MEPS applies to a number of product categories and is independent of manufacture origin. Products regulated include air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, water heaters, electric motors, ballasts, lamps and transformers. Compliance is mandatory within these product categories.

Energy Rating Labels

An Energy Rating Label helps you compare the energy efficiency of appliances.

The Energy Rating Label has two sections, the star rating – which gives a quick comparative assessment of the model's energy efficiency and the annual energy consumption – which provides an estimate of the annual energy use of the appliance. An improvement of one star can mean significant savings of around 10%.

Using this information you can compare similar products, calculate running costs and choose more efficient appliances. The Fast Facts Guide provides useful information on the labeling scheme, how it works and how it applies to different appliances, whitegoods and equipment.

The Energy Rating Label is mandatory for refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers and air conditioners (single phase only).

Energy Rating labels also appear on gas appliances, including gas heating systems and hot water heaters.

Use the Energy Rating Search to locate and compare products, their cost savings and energy use.

Windows Energy Rating Scheme (WERS)

An Energy Rating Label on residential windows enables consumers to compare the cooling and heating performance of windows. WERS ranks the window on its annual energy impact on a house.

The Window Energy Rating Label has three sections, star ratings for heating and cooling efficiency, indicative energy savings and thermal performance, and a UV/fade rating for interior furnishings. Using this information you can choose and install windowed areas that minimise energy loss.