You can also have an assessment done on your whole home's environment performance.

Home appliance energy use

Energy Rating Labels

Home appliance Energy Rating Labels are designed to help you choose energy efficient appliances. The labels help you to work out how much energy an appliance will consume in a year of normal service, and provide a star rating to make comparisons easy. The more stars an appliance has, the more energy efficient it is (each extra star means an extra 10% or more saving in running costs).

Note: it’s important to look at annual energy use as well as the star rating, since an efficient large appliance might use more power than a less efficient smaller model does.

For more information, see the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s web page on Energy Rating Labels. You can find information about energy ratings of specific products at the Energy Ratings Australia website.

Energy Star

Energy Star is a global mark of energy efficiency. It's awarded to the most energy efficient appliances and electronic products. If you see the Energy Star mark on one of these products, you can be sure it is one of the most energy efficient available on the market at this time.

The label was launched in New Zealand, with Government backing, in mid-2005. As at late 2006, you can find the Energy Star mark on heat pumps, televisions, DVD players and recorders, VCRs, audio equipment, computers and monitors, printers, fax machines, copiers and scanners. Upcoming products include dishwashers, clothes washers and refrigerators. New computer and office equipment specifications will also be introduced in July 2007.

For more information, see the Energy Star website.

Home appliance water use

WELS

Australia has Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme (WELS) for home appliance water use. Under the scheme, home appliances display labels showing their water use in litres per load, and a star rating for their water efficiency (the more stars the appliance has, the more water efficient it is).

The Ministry for the Environment has considered submissions on extending the scheme to cover appliances sold in New Zealand.

For more information about the Australian scheme, including a database of energy efficient appliances, see the Water Ratings Australia website.

Home Rating Schemes

Home Energy Rating Scheme

Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority?s Home Energy Rating Scheme, you?ll be able to have your home assessed to evaluate its energy efficiency. The home will be given an energy rating ? similar to the star rating used for appliances - and you?ll get advice on where to make improvements.

The scheme will be introduced from late 2007. Though it will initially be voluntary, home energy ratings may eventually become mandatory for new and existing homes.

Green Home Scheme

BRANZ Ltd’s Green Home Scheme is an independent method of assessing the environmental performance of new homes. Under the scheme, accredited assessors can evaluate and rate your plans against criteria that cover: energy use; water efficiency; sustainable materials; indoor pollutants; waste disposal; and much more. See the Green Home Scheme website for more information.

Eco-labels

Environmental Choice New Zealand label

Environmental Choice New Zealand (ECNZ) is a voluntary, Government-endorsed, independent labeling scheme for recognising products that are better for the environment within their product class. Manufacturers and products have to be licensed to use the Environmental Choice New Zealand label (look for the distinctive black tick).

The Environmental Choice New Zealand label is based on independent assessment, in contrast to ‘green’ symbols or claim statements developed by manufacturers and service providers.

As at late 2006, a wide range of products had been licensed to use the label, including dishwashing and laundry detergents, household cleaners, paints, some paper products, photocopy machines and printers, paints, recycled plastic products, insulation materials, floor coverings, laminate and wood panels, and mulch mats.

See the Environmental Choice New Zealand website for more information.

Windows

Window Efficiency Rating System (WERS)

WERS is a star rating system for windows - five stars is the highest rating, one the lowest. WERS assessment covers performance on winter heating, summer cooling, and prevention of fading. For more information, see the Window Association of NZ website.