Eco-Friendly Appliance Buying Guide

What to look for:

• Fridges and freezers with the right capacity for your needs. Unlike some other appliances, fridges and freezers often operate more efficiently when fuller. To help ensure you find the most energy efficient fridge or freezer for your home, think carefully about what capacity your household realistically needs.

• Fridges without inbuilt ice makers and water dispensers. Models with ice makers and water dispensers typically use more energy than models without them. If you can live without these features, you’ll find yourself using less energy over time.

What to remember when using fridges and freezers at home:

• Adequate ventilation space is required for efficient use. For a fridge or freezer to work efficiently, there needs to be an adequate amount of space left behind, above and to the sides of the appliance. A minimum of 5cm of space is required for the sides and back of the fridge or freezer, while 10cm should be left free at the top of the appliance.

• You should keep to the recommended temperature settings. Although it may be tempting to turn your fridge or freezer’s temperature settings down lower to chill or freeze foods faster, doing so could actually use more energy. In Australia, it’s recommended that fridges are set to between 0°C to 4°C, while freezers should be close to -18°C.

What to look for:

• Models with eco modes and load size sensors. The amount of energy and water used by a washing machine can start to add up, especially if you’re washing multiple loads daily. Look for models with eco modes and load size sensors to help ensure you only use the required energy and water.

• Front-loader washing machines. If your laundry layout and budget allow you to choose a front-loader washing machine, they are often the best choice in terms of efficiency. They are generally the most water and energy efficient washing machines on the market.

What to remember when using them at home:

• Wash with a full load. If you are unable to find a washing machine with eco modes or load size sensors to suit your budget, get into the habit of washing full loads only. Some washing machines use the same amount of water for each load, regardless of how full the drum may be, so you’ll be less likely to waste water once you get into this habit.

• Use cold water. While sometimes you will need warm or hot water to thoroughly wash items, most modern washing machines can clean your clothes well with just cold water. Using cold water can reduce your energy use, with less heated water required.

What to look for:

• Dishwashers without inbuilt drying settings. Although they may be handy features, inbuilt drying settings do significantly increase the amount of energy used by dishwashers. If you can live without this feature, you’ll enjoy energy savings over time.

• Dishwashers with economy modes. Similar to eco modes found in washing machines, some dishwashers have economy modes that use less water and energy than a standard wash cycle.

What to remember when using them at home:

• Wash with a full load. Much like washing machines, dishwashers operate most efficiently with a full load of dishes. If you are able to, wait to fill your dishwasher as much as you can before running a load.

• Scrape your dishes instead of pre-rinsing. Choosing to pre-rinse your dishes by hand can see you waste a large amount of water in the process. If possible, look to scrape any excess food off your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

What to look for:

• Smaller sized ovens. Similar to many other appliances, smaller ovens tend to use less energy than their larger counterparts.

• Gas ovens. While they may not be as popular as electric ovens, gas ovens generate fewer carbon emissions. If a gas oven suits your lifestyle and budget, it may be an option worth considering.

What to remember when using them at home:

• Fan forced cooking modes are often more energy efficient than others. As this cooking mode uses a fan to help circulate heat around the oven interior, it tends to use approximately 20% less energy than others.

• Ovens are more efficient when they are fuller. Just like fridges and freezers, you’ll find that ovens are also more efficient when cooking greater quantities of food. If possible, reserve the use of your oven for when you have several dishes to cook.

What to look for:

• Fans. Although they may not cool your home to the same degree as an air conditioning unit, fans use far less energy. If you can cool your living space with a fan, you’ll likely save money in the long run too.

• Ducted heating and cooling with zone controls. If you choose to install a ducted heating or cooling system, look for models with zone controls, allowing you to isolate the flow of air as needed. Being able to cool one room at a time instead of several at once will allow for more efficient heating and cooling.

What to remember when using them at home:

• It’s best to run air conditioners at higher temperatures when cooling. When it’s hot outside, you’ll likely want to cool your home as fast as possible. However, turning the temperature down can lead your air conditioner to use more energy than needed. Instead of settling on a very cold temperature in summer, aim for somewhere between 22°C and 24°C. Every degree helps to save energy and money.

• Heating and cooling appliances work better in insulated homes. If you are able to have your home insulated, it could actually help to make your heating and cooling more efficient, keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.