.
.
The main categories are as follows:
You can click on the links above to take you straight to the relevant section. You can also use the search engine to help you find keys words or phrases.
Q: Why don't any appliances have a 2002 or 2003 Galaxy Award?
A: The Galaxy Awards ended in 2001. Governments have developed a new Scheme called the Top Energy
Saver Award (TESAW) which recognises the most efficient appliance on the market. The scheme was launched in March 2004.
Q: How can I find a local store/distributor that stocks the model I am looking for?
A: We do not provide this information. You should contact the manufacturer that in many cases is hyperlinked on the Energy
Rating Database.
Most of the major appliance manufacturers and importers operate local "brand" based web sites in Australia and many of these have a facility which can help you to locate a retailer which is close to you (eg "where to buy"). Try www.xxx.com.au for starters (where "xxx" is the brand you are looking for) or use a search engine like www.google.com.au to locate a manufacturer web site in Australia - check the "pages from Australia" box.
The other option is to try your local yellow pages or the web sites of major appliance retail stores which may have regional branches. The Yellowpages online also has a search engine that you may find useful. Under the search tab enter "Electrical appliances - retailers" in the "Business Type" field and select and area, region or state. The listing of stores allows you to refine your search by product type and brand name as well.
Q: What should I do if I find an appliance that does not appear to carry an energy label?
A: You should be aware that some appliances are not required to carry an energy label - the main ones are refrigerators that
run on LPG or 12 Volt supply, evaporative airconditioners, three phase airconditioners, multi-split airconditioners or
airconditioners intended purely for commercial applications. However, if you find an appliance in a retail store that does not
carry an energy label, regulators would find it helpful if you could notify us of the type of appliance, brand and model, the
retailer and date where you saw the appliance on display. Please send this information to energyrating@environment.gov.au Note that the energyrating listings are updated
daily, so registrations should appear as soon as they are processed.
Q: What should I do if I see an appliance with an energy label but can't find this listed on the energyrating web
site?
A: Sometimes the manufacturer will remove the product from the energyrating listing when it is not generally available on the
market any more (obsolete models). Removal from the listing does not affect the validity of the product's registration. However,
sometimes products are placed on the market with false labels or are supplied to retailers with labels before they have been
registered. These are serious breaches of the regulations. If you have any doubts please contact energyrating@environment.gov.au with the product details and we will advise you if
there is a problem.
Q: What if the product listed on the energyrating web site does not appear to be available in the shops?
A: The web site lists all registered products. Registrations typically remain viable for 5 years. At times, some of these
products may not be available in the market, however the registration remains valid and can be displayed on the public web site.
Manufacturers have the facility to de-list a product (from the public web site) that is not presently available on the market,
but many do not seem to take up this option. Some brands and models are only available through selected retailers or states. It
is suggested that you contact the manufacturer to ascertain the status of the product availability in your area.
Q: Sometimes a model appears on the web site with different energy values - how does this occur?
A: Most commonly, a manufacturer will make gradual improvement to a model's energy efficiency. When the energy reduction is
significant enough the manufacturer may re-register the model with a lower energy. Similarly, some changes to appliances will
increase the energy consumption so the manufacturer is obliged to re-register these models. In both cases, energy variants of the
same model may be available on the marketplace.
As a consumer, you should check that the unit you select has the same energy efficiency as the model that you receive (if not better).
Q: What if the manufacturer's web site has different energy values to energyrating?
A: Many manufacturers list energy and performance data on their own web site. If there is a discrepancy between energyrating
and the manufacturer's web site, there are two possible explanations. Sometimes manufacturers are slow to update their own web
site with the latest data. Occasionally, manufacturers will put data for new or re-engineered version of a particular model on
their web site before they have been registered with energyrating. You should consult with the manufacturer or contact energyrating@environment.gov.au.
Q: What do you recommend as the best appliance to purchase?
A: The government is not in a position to provide advice to consumers regarding the best appliance to purchase. However,
energyrating is structured to help you identify the most energy efficient products because we believe that this is an important
criterion for consumers. However, there are many other factors to consider as well (price, size (does it fit?), reliability, ease
of use, quality, performance, availability). These are only criteria that you can assess for yourself.
There are organisations who test, assess and compare products on behalf of consumers. One of the largest and most reputable in Australia is the Australian Consumers' Association. Their magazine "Choice" contains many product reviews and comparisons (including appliances) and they make recommendations based on a wide range of assessment criteria. They also conduct reliability surveys from some products. Copies of Choice magazine are widely available in local libraries around the country. Information and reports are also available on their web site www.choice.com.au - access is free for Choice subscribers (or you can join online) but access individual product reports can be purchased for a small fee.
Q: How much will it cost (will I save) to operate my appliance?
A: The operating cost of an appliance over 1 year or 10 years can easily be estimated using the "cost calculator" which is
part of the interactive product listing. Once you have conducted an initial search for a product, details of the cost calculator
are shown at the top of the listing and the 10 year energy cost is included in the listing. You can then alter the default retail
tariff, uses per year and period (years) and "recalculate costs" to suit your requirements. Savings you make are the difference
between the operating costs of the appliances you are comparing. 10 years is entered as the default as this is a typical life for
an appliance (in fact many appliances have an average life of longer than 10 years).
Q: Who is responsible for and how are numbers of stars on the energy rating label calculated?
A: The state and federal governments are jointly responsible for the management of the energy labelling program. However,
while star ratings are primarily "controlled" by government, there is very close consultation with industry in this process. See
the page Background to the Energy Label for more details.
You can find an Overview of how are star ratings calculated with links to specific details for each appliance type.
Q: Where can I get a replacement star label for my appliance?
A: Manufacturers are responsible for printing and affixing their own energy labels (the government is not involved in this
process). Sometimes consumers wish to keep the star rating energy label on their product once installed in their home. If a label
is marked or you wish to replace it, the only possible source will be the manufacturer or importer of the brand you own. It is
suggested that you contact customer service for the brand to see if a replacement label is available.
Q: How do I get the energy label off my appliance?
A: Manufacturers are responsible for printing and affixing their own energy labels (the government is not involved in this
process). Sometimes the labels used may be difficult to remove. If you are having trouble removing the energy label and if there
are no instructions in the use and care guide on how to remove the energy label, it is suggested that contact customer service
for the brand to obtain advice on the best method to remove the particular label that they use.
Q: What about star ratings for Gas appliances?
A: Gas water heaters and most forms of gas space heaters (ducted and non-ducted) carry a Gas Energy Rating label. The
Australian Gas Association lists all energy labelled gas hot water systems in their Directory
of Certified Gas Appliances and Components. This can be found under "Product Directory". The site also contains information about
their product certification scheme. A trial web site listing gas water
heaters available in Australia is also available.
Q: Where can I find information on the energy efficiency of gas or electric stoves?
A: Neither gas or electric cookers are required to carry an energy label in Australia. However, for tips on energy efficient
cooking see Australian Greenhouse Office web site.
Q: Can you help me with my school assignment on electrical appliances? (provide basic information, general publications
etc.)
A: Energyrating has a large electronic library of publications on energy efficiency. You may
also find the page Products Considered for Regulation helpful as reports are sorted by product
type.
Q: Where can I find information on the energy efficiency of other appliances, equipment and housing?
A: For information on the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment that do not carry an energy label or for housing
energy efficiency, please see Other appliances and our links
page.
Q: What sort of airconditioners are NOT required to carry an energy label?
A: The following airconditioners are not currently required to carry and energy label: evaporative airconditioners, three
phase airconditioners (these may carry a label on a voluntary basis but are unusual for the residential sector), multi-split
airconditioners (units with several separate indoor units each with a separate control), airconditioners intended purely for
commercial applications and portable airconditioners. See Requirements for airconditioners for a more detailed
list of exemptions.
Q: How can the capacity output of an airconditioner be greater than the power input?
A: For airconditioners, the measure of energy efficiency is the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) for cooling and the Coefficient
of Performance (COP) for heating. The EER and COP are defined as the capacity output divided by the power input. Typically, the
EER and COP are in the range 2.0 to 3.5 (meaning that the cooling or heating output is 2 to 3.5 times as great as the power
input, or an efficiency of 200% to 350%). This is achieved by the use of a refrigeration heat pump which collects internal heat
and moves it outside when in cooling mode, or collects ambient heat from outside and moves it inside when in heating mode. The
apparent efficiency of heat pumps is high as they can move much more low grade energy in the form of heat than they require as
electrical power input into the compressor. You find out more information in How are airconditioner star
ratings calculated?
Q: What size/type of airconditioner should I purchase for my home?
A: Before purchasing an airconditioner you should consider other non energy consuming means of providing a comfortable home
environment during the warmer months of the year. The design of your house can significantly affect the internal comfort
conditions. Features that can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for refrigerative airconditioning include:
Such features can be built into your new home or retrofitted into an existing dwelling. For further information on these energy saving options go to the Your Home web site. If in your circumstances you decide that an airconditioner is warranted then it is important that you not only purchase an energy efficient one, but that it is properly sized and correctly installed. This is a job for appropriately qualified designers and installers. Information on this subject can be found at the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Airconditioning and Heating (AIRAH) web site.
Q: What size/type of airconditioner should I purchase for my home?
A: Sizing an airconditioner is best undertaken by a professional. But you can save significant amounts of capital expense if
the airconditioner is sized correctly to take account of your building shell. If you live near a coastal area and have a very
efficient home, you may be able to get by without an airconditioner. However, there is more information on Tips for choosing an efficient airconditioner.
Q: Why does the star rating of some airconditioners sometimes seem inconsistent with the capacity output and the power
input?
A: The star rating and star rating index for an airconditioner is not based on the rated power input and the rated capacity
(as published on the web site) but rather it is based upon the tested power input and the tested capacity (not published on the
web site) when tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3823. For energy labelling, tests are conducted on a unit and the tested power
input and tested capacity is used to determine the star rating index.
The rated values are those marked on the nameplate affixed to the airconditioner in the factory during production (usually overseas). AS/NZS 3823 requires that for an energy rating test to be valid the tested power input must be no more than 5% higher than the rated value and the tested capacity must be no more than 5% less than the rated value. This tolerance means that there is not always an exact relationship between the rated power input, the rated capacity and the star rating index - although it will be relatively close.
You can find out more details on the page How are airconditioner star ratings calculated?
Q: What is an "inverter" airconditioner?
A: An inverter model means that the compressor is powered by a variable speed drive or "inverter", which enables the
compressor to run at a range of speeds from slow to fast, to match the output required. Most conventional compressors run at a
constant speed and these types of units vary their capacity by switching on and off at different intervals. Inverters are a
sophisticated piece of technology which improve the performance and energy efficiency of airconditioners under normal use.
Inverter models are marked in the web site listing for airconditioners. See also next question.
Q: Why don't "inverter" type airconditioners get a higher star rating?
A: For standard airconditioners (which use single speed compressors) the efficiency does not vary significantly at part load
- reduced load output (heating or cooling) is achieved by cutting in and out of the thermostat or temperature control system.
Inverter units use a variable speed drive in the motor system that drives the compressor. While these systems tend to look less
efficient at full load (ie their star rating at rated capacity, which is the rating on the energy label, is not always as high as
conventional airconditioners), they tend to be very efficient at part load operation, which is a more common mode in a typical
household. This is achieved by reducing the continuous compressor output which increases the efficiency of the refrigeration
system (as the apparent size of the condenser and evaporator is larger). Performance does vary between models, so the actual part
load performance of inverter units should be sought from manufacturers. Inverter units are now marked on the airconditioner energyrating product listing and part load efficiency data is
also available for some inverter models.
Q: Are evaporative coolers more 'energy efficient' than conventional airconditioners?
A: As a rule, evaporative airconditioners will use less energy than an equivalent "vapour compression" airconditioner.
However, a fair comparison of these products is always fraught with difficulty. Evaporative airconditioners rely on the
evaporation of water to cool the air ("evaporation is accompanied by a cooling effect") and so increase the humidity in the
cooled space. These types of systems are really only effective in dryer climates. Unlike conventional airconditioners (which
remove moisture from the cooled space and work best in a sealed room), evaporative airconditioners require a large volume of
fresh air to pass through the house, so ventilation to allow internal air to escape is essential. Evaporative airconditioners can
also consume substantial volumes of water, so this is an issue to consider in many cases.
Q: How is the total cooling capacity of an airconditioner determined?
A: A conventional "vapour compression" airconditioner has two main components which make up the cooling capacity. The first
is the so called sensible cooling effect - this is the energy equivalent of the temperature change of the air that flows across
the airconditioner (temperature fall multiplied by mass flow rate of air). The sensible cooling capacity is by far the largest
component of capacity for most airconditioners and is expressed in Watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). The second component is called
the latent cooling effect or dehumidification effect and is determined by the amount of moisture removed from the conditioned
space. Sometimes this is expressed as litres of moisture removed per hour, but is usually expressed as Watts or kW when added to
the total capacity. One kg of moisture removed per hour equates to a latent cooling capacity of 683 Watts.
Q: What does the term horsepower mean in terms of an airconditioner capacity?
A: The ongoing use of horsepower by retailers is of concern to energy regulators in Australia. This term bears no relation to
the output capacity of the unit. The only valid capacity measure is the kW output under AS/NZS3823 condition T1 for cooling or H1
for heating. The term horsepower came from a time when airconditioner compressors where driven with mechanical motors. The output
of an airconditioner depends on the motor efficiency, the compressor efficiency, the evaporator and condenser design and heat
transfer properties, relative size of the evaporator and condenser, air flow design over the evaporator and condenser, fan
efficiency and size, control system etc. Defining the input or output power of the electric motor in such a system as a proxy for
capacity is completely misleading in all cases.
Q: Are there any regulations that limit starting currents or which mandate the installation of "Soft Start Devices" for air conditioning units in Australia and New Zealand?
A: Yes. Some electrical network operators in Australia do set limits on the maximum start current that an air conditioner can demand - to meet these limits, soft starters are usually required (i.e. to limit in-rush current to acceptable limits). An overview of the respective State, Territory and New Zealand requirements are set out in the summary of service and installation requirements - this page has links to information on soft start / maximum current requirements. Australian regulations for energy efficiency do not directly prescribe soft start technology for air-conditioning equipment.
Q: What are the advantages of a front loading type of washing machine?
A: Front loading machines usually use less energy and water (but not always). There are a number of issues to consider when choosing a type of washer. The page Tips for choosing an efficient clothes washer has more information.
Q: Why do some washing machines with a better star rating use more electricity?
A: The Energy Ratings take into account the capacity (load size) and the spinning performance of the washing machine (ie how much moisture is left in clothes after spinning). A larger machine will use more energy but it will appear more "efficient" (less energy per kg clothes washed for a full load). A model that has a better spin performance may get a marginally higher star rating than a model of the same capacity and energy consumption but with a poor spin performance. Spinning performance is taken into account for washer star ratings because it is assumed some consumers will use a clothes dryer to dry their clothes. A good spin performance in a washing machine will reduce the energy consumed by a clothes dryer and will also reduce air drying time on the clothes line.
Q: Why do some washing machines with a better star rating cost more to run?
A: Some washing machines import hot water from the tap and other machines heat the water internally. Cold only connection with an internal heater is most common for European front loading machines although many are available with dual (hot and cold connections). It is often cheaper to import water from a hot water system as many households have access to cheap hot water rates through gas, solar or off peak electric hot water systems. Consequently, although both types may use a similar amount of energy, the machine that imports hot water will be cheaper to run if the household has access to cheaper hot water. The energy label considers energy related aspects - it is not a cost rating scheme. Costs are especially complicated for clothes washers because they vary greatly from house to house. They are given as an indication only.
It is important to carefully check out whether the machine you intend to purchase has a single connection (cold only with an internal heater) or whether it has a dual connection (hot and cold).
Q: I have solar hot water. How should I choose a dishwasher or clothes washer?
A: In the interactive appliance product listing for dishwashers it is assumed that all water is heated as required within the dishwasher using electricity, as most dishwashers have only a single cold-water connection. Solar hot water will not affect dishwasher electricity costs for a dishwasher with a cold-water connection only (also see next question on supplementary hot water energy for dishwashers)
For clothes washers, most top-loading models have both hot and cold connections but only some front loaders have hot and cold connections. Washers with a cold only connection and an internal heater are common for European front-loading machines. Solar hot water will not affect clothes washer electricity costs for a clothes washer with a cold-water connection only as all water is heated internally. So look for a dual water connection machine if you are considering a front-loader and you want to utilise your solar water heater or less expensive or low greenhouse gas-emitting hot water supply, such as gas.
Q: What is the supplementary energy consumption for dishwashers?
A: The energy rating label shows the total energy consumed by the dishwasher when measured to AS/NZS2007.1 for an assumed usage of 7 days per week. Virtually all dishwashers on the market now have a single plumbing connection and this can usually be connected to either a cold water supply (called the primary connection mode) or to a hot water supply (called the supplementary water connection mode). Almost no dishwashers are now available with dual water connections (both hot and cold inlets).
In the case of a cold connection, the dishwasher draws in cold water and heats the water internally (using electricity) as required throughout the program. Typically a dishwasher will have between 3 and 5 separate fills during a program and usually 2 or sometimes 3 of these are "heated" (depending on the model and program). In this case the water is heated using electricity supplied through the electrical connection. In this case the energy shown on the energy rating label is only electricity.
In the case of the supplementary connection, the dishwasher draws in hot water for every fill. The Standard determines the total energy used by the appliance which in this case is the sum of the electrical energy used (mainly for pumps and motors but possibly some heating) PLUS the energy embodied in the external hot water drawn into the dishwasher. So, in this connection mode the energy is substantially higher as every fill uses hot water rather than only those fills where hot water is required. As the energy used to heat the water is typically about 60% to 70% of the energy used by a dishwasher, a hot connection is typically 50% more energy when compared to a cold connection (this varies by model).
The energy impacts of a hot fill are a bit more complex. The Standard measures the embodied energy in the hot water but takes no account of the efficiency of the hot water system that produces the hot water. This is because hot water systems are many and varied and there is no typical arrangement. Another consideration is that the fill volume for dishwashers is now so low that the first one to two litres from a hot inlet is likely to be cool and require heating in any case.
Q: Should I connect my dishwasher to a cold or hot water supply?
A: In the case of a dishwasher, it is generally recommended that the appliance be connected to cold water where only a single water connection is available on the appliance. The prevalence of a single connection and the low fill volumes for each fill means that the cost advantage of hot fills is mostly lost. The exception would be where a solar or gas storage water heater is located close to the dishwasher.
Connection to an instantaneous gas water heater is often not very effective because of startup losses. Start-up losses occur because it takes some time for an instantaneous water heater to detect the flow of water and to start. This can result in up to 2 or 3 litres of cold water passing through the water heater before the water gets heated.
Another source of losses is dead water in the hot water supply pipes which cools between drawoffs (this depends on the plumbing configuration in the particular installation). In the case of instantaneous water heater these losses could account for 3 or 4 litres of cold water entering the dishwasher for each fill. Therefore the dishwasher is not likely to get very much hot water for each fill from the water heater and will heat the water internally in any case.
Q: Should I connect my clothes washer to a hot water system?
A: In the case of a clothes washer, it is generally recommended that the appliance be connected to both cold and hot water where dual connection is available on the appliance. Purchasers should take special care when selecting a new appliance to make sure that it has dual connections, if this is desired. If the appliance has only a single water connection, there is usually no option but to connect to cold water and let the appliance heat the water internally. Note: it is not usually possible (or recommended) to connect a clothes washer to hot water only.
Connection to hot and cold water (dual connection) offers the advantage of using low cost and/or low greenhouse hot water supplies such as gas or solar for the washing machine. For a warm wash, typically 80% of the total energy consumption is required to heat the water.
Care is required when connecting an instantaneous gas hot water system to a clothes washer. Most clothes washers now take in water in small amounts many times over a 10 minute period during the wash fill (this approach is used for load sensing systems) - this means that an instantaneous system will be required to start and stop many times, which can be quite inefficient.
Q: Should I wash my clothes in cold water?
A: Washing clothes in cold water will save a substantial amount of energy. As about 80% of the energy in a warm wash is associated with heating water, cold washing uses less than one quarter of the energy for warm washing.
If the washer shows a cold water energy on the energy rating label then it should be capable of a cold (or cooler) wash. Many front loading washers are not capable of washing in cold water - make sure you check the minimum wash temperature available if this is an important aspect for you.
As stated on the energy rating label, the washing performance of the machine is not measured or guaranteed on cold water washing. There are issues associated with cold water washing of which you should be aware.
Washing performance (soil removal) in cold water will almost always be worse compared to washing in warm water. This is because bleaches (where present) are more active at higher temperatures while soils and grease (and the detergent which is used to remove these) are also more soluble in warmer water. Some detergents with enzymes require certain minimum temperatures for these enzymes to activate, so check the manufacturer's instructions. So called cold water detergents do vary somewhat in their performance in cold water. Most detergents also use fluorescent whitening agents (or optical brighteners, which absorb UV radiation and re-emit this as light in the visible spectrum) to enhance the appearance of the load after washing.
A good source of information on cold water washing and detergents is Choice magazine (published by the Australian Consumers' Association) which is available in many libraries, or by subscription.
Another consideration for users is that the cold water temperature varies by season and also by region. For example, cold water in Queensland in summer could be as warm as 25C which is fine for cold water washing. In Victoria or Tasmania in the middle of winter, cold water could be as low as 10C at times, which would result in a much poorer washing performance. So you may need to adjust the machine settings or program to suit the local conditions. Some machines have an option of setting the temperature of the wash temperature to a specified level by automatically mixing hot and cold (depending on the inlet temperatures) which is a good way to overcome issues with seasonable temperature variations.
Of course the cost of hot water varies a lot, depending on fuel type and tariff, so the cost savings from washing in cold water will vary. The interactive appliance product listing allows you to vary the tariff of hot water to give you an estimate of the total cost of warm water washing in your region.
Q: Do dishwashers and clothes washers get rated for water savings?
A: Yes. All dishwashers and clothes washers should have a water efficiency label attached (part of the WELS Scheme) when offered for sale in retail outlets. This label shows a water star rating and the water consumption per load. The WELS website contains a database of all clothes washers and dishwashers on the market.
The water consumption of clothes washers and dishwashers is no longer shown on the energy rating label, but information on cold and hot water consumption is included in the interactive listings for these products on this website (click "show comprehensive information" to display this data within a clothes washer or dishwasher listing). As noted above, water consumption information is also shown on the WELS website and on the WELS label.
Q: Why do refrigerator-freezers with similar capacities and energy consumption have different star ratings?
A: The star rating of a refrigerator freezer is based on the energy consumption per litre of adjusted volume (see How are refrigerator star ratings calculated? for more details). So models that have a larger proportion of
freezer to fresh food will have a larger total adjusted volume (as the freezer compartment is given a higher weighting) even
though their total volume may be the same. Models with a larger freezer will appear slightly more efficient.
Q: Why don't chest freezers get a higher number of stars?
A: When the star rating system for freezers was recalculated in 2000, two rating options were considered. The first option
was to rate all freezers on the same basis in terms of kWh per litre of volume. The problem with this option was that chest
freezers are inherently much more efficient than vertical freezers, so this type of rating system would put all chest freezers at
say 3 or 4 stars and all vertical freezers at 1 or 2 stars and this would leave very little scope for differentiation between
different models of chest freezers or vertical freezers. The second option considered was to separately rate chest freezers and
vertical freezers on different scales. After careful consideration, this option was adopted because research indicated that most
consumers decide on the type of freezer they need first (vertical or chest) and then use the energy label to pick the most
efficient one that suits their needs (ie chest freezers and vertical freezers do not provide the same energy service and are not
directly interchangeable in most cases - they are usually installed in quite different locations).
The energy consumption on the energy label is a fair relative comparison of the likely energy consumption of chest and vertical freezers, so you can assess the relative advantage of different types on this basis if you have not yet decided whether to choose a chest or vertical freezer.
Q: Why don't 12 volt and gas burning type refrigerators have energy star ratings?
A: The star rating system for refrigerators and freezers is limited to mains powered models of the "vapour compression type"
(ie models that use a compressor and a refrigerant). Other systems such as DC, LPG and other absorption types of refrigeration
systems are generally intended for the leisure and camping markets (although some are used on normal domestic households).
Regulation of these products was not considered warranted (many are only used for a few weeks per year). As a general rule,
absorption refrigeration systems are somewhat less energy efficient than vapour compression systems and usually provide less
flexibility and control during operation.
Q: Is there a guide when it is "time" to replace my old, fully operational fridge?
A: Refrigerators will often run for as long as 20 years (or more) and still function properly with minimal maintenance. If
there are clear signs of operational problems such as continuous compressor running or rapid build up of ice in the freezer, it
may be advisable to call in a service technician to review the problem to see if there is something that requires repair. A
common fault affecting refrigerator efficiency is the door seal. It may pay to inspect this from time to time and replace it if
necessary.
It is important to bear in mind that older refrigerators were quite energy hungry relative to the best models on the market today. So you need to factor in the energy savings that would accrue from early replacement. However, there is no energy saving to you if you merely buy a new refrigerator and move the old one to the laundry or shed and keep it running out there. So if you are going to buy a new unit, choose one that can fully replace your existing unit.
Q: Is there anything about the operation of instantaneous gas water heaters which I should consider?
A: Instantaneous or continuous flow gas water heaters are designed to deliver steady stream of heated water for a bath, sink
or shower. Each time they start, there is a sequence of water flow, ignition of gas burners and heating up of water. While this
is usually quite fast, it may take several seconds to fully stabilise (up to 10 seconds in some cases). While this is not a
problem in most applications, many modern clothes washers now have technology which senses the size of the load or use other
techniques (such as rotating the load to ensure wetting) which require pauses between short intakes of water. While an
instantaneous gas water heater will provide water to this type of machine, its operation will be quite inefficient and the washer
will typically only draw in 2 or 3 litres at a time which is barely enough to get the water heater started. So take care if you
are choosing a new clothes washer and if you use instantaneous gas hot water.
Q: How much hot water can I get from my hot water system?
A: For electric hot water systems, the capacity (called the "hot water delivery") is a measure of the storage and is defined
as the volume of water that can be delivered by the tank while maintaining the temperature within 12°C of the initial delivery
temperature. This volume is relevant to storage water heaters (gas and electric) where the element rating is very much lower than
the rate of energy delivered in the form of hot water.
For large electric tanks, which are usually run on off peak tariffs, this is a reasonable measure of the total hot water that can be delivered in a day. Note however, many utilities offer a tariff which allows boosting through a top element at off peak rates if certain sizing requirements for the off peak tank are met (typical > X litres for a Y bedroom house).
For smaller electric tanks, which are typically run on continuous electric tariffs, the capacity is the amount of water that can be drawn off in a single sitting. Clearly, the recharge period depends on the element rating and the tank size, but is typically around an hour for smaller tanks.
For gas storage water heaters, the tank storage capacity is a (very approximate) measure of the volume of hot water that can be drawn off in a single sitting. The recovery time depends on the rated burner capacity, but would typically be 1 to 3 hours.
Gas instantaneous (also called continuous flow) and electric instantaneous can supply hot water as long as there is gas/electricity available. Note that these units typically require very high power inputs. Electric units are fairly rare and almost always require three phase power.
Q: How are gas hot water energy ratings calculated?
A: Gas energy ratings are done on a common task (37.7 MJ/day of hot water delivered = 13761 MJ/year). All solar models are
rated with zero solar input, which is obviously an understatement of the actual solar contribution in actual use. The energy on
the label is the energy the water heater uses to supply this amount of hot water per year. The difference between the energy
label number and 13761 MJ/year are the losses from the gas water heater (conversion losses (burner efficiency) plus tank losses
(storage systems) or startup losses (instantaneous systems)). A hot water delivery of 37.7 MJ/day is at the higher end of
household hot water use.
Q. When do Minimum Energy Performance Standards come into law in Australia?
A. Regulations come into force on 1 October 2004. Any proclaimed product offered for sale after that date must be registered
unless a supplier can prove that they were manufactured or imported prior to this date. (see AS 1731.14:2003* for further details
regarding exemptions)
Q. What products are required to meet these standards?
A. Mandatory energy performance levels are contained in the new 14 part Australian Standard AS1731-2003, and apply to both
remote and self-contained cabinets, open and closed. This standard also describes the new test method for commercial
refrigeration cabinets used to determine compliance with MEPS.
These requirements do not currently apply to refrigerated vending machines, or cabinets intended for use in catering and similar non-retail applications
Q. Does this apply to commercial refrigeration products sold in New Zealand also?
A. Yes. Although AS1731-2003 is not currently a joint standard with New Zealand, New Zealand Authorities have agreed to
implement concurrent legislation which references AS1731-2003. This will mean that the same requirements apply in Australia and
New Zealand from October 2004. Standards Australian and its New Zealand counterpart are working to create a joint standard in the
future. The relevant New Zealand regulator is EECA which can advise interested persons on
any regional variations, such as application procedures and fees.
Q. How are the MEPS requirements enforced?
A. Regular checks are conducted to ensure that all products offered for sale have a current registration with one of the
State regulators. In addition, "checktests" by independent NATA accredited laboratories are
conducted to see whether products perform in compliance with MEPS requirements.
The checktest process comprises an initial Screen Test, undertaken and paid for by the Government. If the unit complies with MEPS no further action is taken. But if the unit fails, the supplier has the option of:
Full details of this process are contained in the Administrative Guidelines
Q. Will refrigerated cabinets that have not registered be stopped from entering the country or impounded by Australian
Customs?
A. No. The MEPS requirements apply to products that are sold in Australia. The Australian Customs Department are not involved
in the policing of this legislation.
Q. What is the registration process?
A. Any regulated product offered for sale after 1 October 2004 must be registered with a State
regulator unless the supplier can prove that they were manufactured or imported prior to this date. Registration may be done
for individual cabinets or families of cabinets with comparable specifications and performance characteristics.
Registration of a product can be by either:
In order to register you will need to provide information about the characteristics and performance of your refrigerated cabinet(s). Note that it is not mandatory to conduct a full test according to AS1731-2003 in order to register, particularly if you are confident that your cabinet complies with the regulations.
Q. For the purpose of registration, what is a 'Family'?
A. A 'Family' is a group of products which require only one registration to cover all products within the group. They should
have similar physical characteristics even if their energy performance is different. A good example is a cabinet range which is
produced in varying lengths.
While the registration of a 'family' represents a saving in cost, the potential downside is that if one member fails, this could jeopardise the registration of the whole family. For this reason it may be prudent to indicate the performance of the unit within the family likely to have the worst energy performance for registration. In the example above, that is likely to be the smallest unit in the family.
Q. Must we conduct tests to AS1731-2003 in order to register our refrigerated cabinets?
A. No. Registration requires that you indicate the performance of your cabinet(s) and this may be based on in-house tests or
even calculation. The onus is up to the person registering a product to ensure that it meets MEPS when tested according to
AS1731-2003, therefore if you are confident that the product complies, you may choose not to undertake a full test. It is
suggested that manufacturers or importers undertake a risk management process in order to decide whether tests to AS1731-2003 are
warranted and for which products.
Where a cabinet has been tested according to AS1731-2003, the energy performance level stated for registration is likely to be a more accurate indicator of MEPS compliance than one based on some other method. This will be taken into account when selecting which products should be checktested.
Q. If my cabinet is certified by EUROVENT, do I still need to undertake a test under AS1731-2003 to determine its energy
performance?
A. EUROVENT certification is undertaken on the basis of tests according to En441, which is an extremely similar test method
to AS1731-2003. Therefore it provides an excellent guide to the performance of cabinets tested to the Australian test method. One
difference between the two tests is that the AS1731-2003 requires lamps (where fitted) to be switched on for the duration of the
test, so some additional allowance will need to be made to account for this.
It should be noted that compliance with the MEPS requirements will only be determined according to AS1731-2003.
Q. If I have completed online registration and not received approval before 1 October can my product still be sold?
A. Yes, completion of online registration in advance of the 1 October deadline is considered evidence that you have made a
reasonable effort to comply with the requirements.
Because of the number of registrations being made at this time, it is possible that the regulators will not process some applications by 1 October, however you will receive notification from them in due course.
Q. What information from the registration forms will be made public?
A. As yet this is not finalised, however it is envisaged that the public will have access to basic information about the
physical characteristics of each registered product. They will also be able to view the values of energy performance provided in
the registration process.
Some further information, such as the date of initial manufacture may be made accessible only to other parties making registrations. This will enable a degree of self-policing.
Q. If there are no MEPS levels attributed to a type of cabinet in Part 14 of AS1731-2003 (Tables 2.1, 2.2) what are the
requirement for these cabinets?
A. These are currently considered to be outside the scope of the MEPS requirements and therefore do not need to register or
comply. Values may be added to the Standard at some point in the future if it is considered that there is good reason to do so,
however this will only be done after consultation with industry and adequate lead time.
Q. If I am not sure which 'Type' of cabinet mine is classified as, how can I get advice?
A. In the first instance you should ask one of the regulators, who may seek specialist
advice. Once a decision has been made, this information will be shared amongst all regulators to
ensure consistency.
Q. In Tables 2.2 and 3.2 in Part 14 of AS1731-2003 all self-contained cabinets are classified as Type 'C' for chilled. Does
this indicate that no low temperature cabinets have MEPS levels set?
A. No. There is currently an error in these tables which will be corrected shortly through an amendment to the Standard. In
the left-hand column in each table headed "Type", the letter "C" should be omitted. MEPS levels for cabinets intended for low
temperature or frozen goods are those which operate at "L1" or "L2" M package temperature classes and the appropriate MEPS
requirements are shown in these tables.
Q. Is it mandatory after 1 October 2004 to meet the marking requirements for some self-contained cabinets described in
Section 5 of Part 14 of AS1731-2003.
A. No. This section will be removed shortly through an amendment to the Standard.
Q. Are the marking requirements in Clause 7 of Part 2 of AS1731-2003 mandatory?
A. At present these are not mandatory, since only Part 14 is referred to in State and Territory legislation.
Q. What if I become aware of products being sold which are not registered or which I know do not meet MEPS levels?
A. In this case, you should notify one of the regulators who will investigate further. In
some cases this may result in products being targeted for checktesting. If you are able to substantiate your suspicions this will
help.
Q. Where can I get further information?
A. This web site provides a wide range of information on different aspects of the regulatory process and contact details for
the regulators.
Q: Who are the contacts in State/Territory energy efficiency regulatory agencies?
A: All states and territories (and New Zealand) have regulations which cover energy labelling and MEPS. However, only 4
states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia) accept registration applications. State Regulatory Contacts details can be found on this web site. Note that when you make an electronic registration application the system will let you select one of the 4 state regulators who accept registrations. Manufacturers wishing to register in South Australia have to have an office in that state. New Zealand based companies can elect to have their products listed with the NZ regulator, but there are special conditions that have to be met if this product is also exported to Australia.
Q: I will be importing appliances. How do I go about registering and getting the star rating labels?
A: Registration information and application forms for energy labelling and MEPS can be found on Forms
for registration of a product for energy efficiency. The Administrative Guidelines also
has details on registering a product.
Q: I am preparing an application for registration of an appliance and the Australian Standard requires laboratory testing.
What testing lab should I use?
A: There is no particular requirement for laboratories to be accredited or products certified for registration for energy
labelling and MEPS in Australia. Test reports from the manufacturer's laboratory are satisfactory. But test reports on three
separate units are required for most products (airconditioners are an exception). Test reports from an accredited laboratory are
preferred. Laboratories do not have to be government approved. However, if there is evidence that results from a particular
laboratory are unsatisfactory, regulators can mandate test reports from an accredited laboratory.
Test Methodology - these are contained in the relevant Australian Standards which can be purchased online from SAI Global under licence from Standards Australia. The Overview of Australian Standards used for Energy Efficiency will provide further information.
Testing Facilities - a list of NATA accredited test laboratories in Australia can be found on the page Supplementary Information for Australian Standards.
Q: Can you supply copies of Australian Standards for appliances and equipment?
A: All of the relevant standards which are used as the basis for energy efficiency regulations are available for purchase
from SAI Global under licence from Standards Australia. Enter the standard number (usually 4 or 5 digits) into the Reference No. cell and hit "Search". A list of the relevant standards can be found on Overview of Australian Standards used for Energy Efficiency. The test method usually consists on a single part, but in some cases there are multiple parts. The regulatory standard is a single part.
Q: What is a "model family" definition for three phase electric motors?
A: The use of families is intended to allow a range of very similar products to be covered by a single registration. Three
phase electric motors registered for MEPS are a special case and some regulators will allow grouping of motors into "families"
for the purposes of registration on the basis of motor output and number of poles (kW) or by frame size (to reduce costs for
registrations of a whole series of motors that are registered together). This is only permitted for bulk registrations (typically
more than 20 motors registered at the same time). Each motor kW/frame/pole combination is separately identified within the
registration database. You can get more information on "families" in Attachment 3 of the administrative guidelines.
Q: Where can I obtain the layout/artwork to produce Energy Rating Labels?
A: The details for the energy label artwork are contained within the relevant standard. Standards may be purchased from
SAI Global under licence from Standards Australia. High quality images or editable energy labels to assist in the preparation of labels to affix to appliances are available from the label artwork page. You can download the artwork (in the form of an EPS file) for the Top Energy Saver Award label from the
TESAW label specifications.
Q: How do I apply for a TESAW Award for a gas appliance?
A: Details on applying for a Gas TESAW award are included on the TESAW page.
Applications are made to the Australian Gas Association.
Q: Where can I obtain information on the requirements regarding the use and importation of refrigerants used in
refrigerators and airconditioners (Ozone depleting substances)?
A: Energy regulators do not cover these issues. However, the use of Ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases
is regulated in Australia by the Federal Department of Environment & Heritage. Details and background on the specific
requirements can be found on their Ozone Protection web site. Where products such as split system air conditioners have to have be charged with refrigerant gas on site, then an accredited installer must be used. The Australian Refrigeration Council has a list of accredited installers.
This page last modified 26 November 2008
Comments to Contact | Copyright & disclaimer | Privacy | Accessibility
© Commonwealth of Australia
Website credits
