Household appliances are a major factor in your household's use of energy, especially energy hungry appliances like refrigerators and clothes dryers. Always choose durable, efficient appliances and furniture when old items wear out.

White goods, such as fridges, freezers and clothes washers, account for a substantial portion of household energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. By selecting these appliances carefully you can save money and reduce your environmental impact without compromising lifestyle.

The energy performance of popular appliances is displayed on the Energy Rating Label. This national scheme provides you with a simple star rating to help you select the best appliances for your needs.

Energy Rating Labels can be found on many appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers and air-conditioners. An energy efficient refrigerator with a high star rating will save you hundreds of dollars over its life. For more information on energy ratings visit the ENERGY STAR® website at www.energystar.gov.au

CHOOSING AND USING WHITE GOODS
- APPLY THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES

• Avoid buying appliances that you don't really need - if you need to buy an appliance, choose one that is the right size for your needs and is as efficient as possible.
• Appliance rating schemes can help you to select the most efficient appliance
• Operate appliances efficiently by closely following the instructions
• Maintain appliances carefully
• Turn appliances off when not in use, preferably at the power outlet. Many appliances continue to draw "stand-by" power when switched off, contributing up to ten percent of household electricity use
• Purchase the most efficient appliance available by choosing a Galaxy Energy Award winner
• Seek advice from consumer groups, such as the Australian Consumers' Association Think about the best layout and placement of appliances to maximise efficiency when designing a new laundry or kitchen
• Do you really need it? For example, do you really need a clothes dryer when you could use the sun and a clothesline without cost? Do you really need a second fridge?
• Buy the right sized appliance to suit your needs
• Consider the ongoing costs of maintenance and operation. Ongoing running costs can easily exceed the original purchase price of an appliance so consider the full lifecycle cost when choosing an appliance. Energy efficient appliances cost less to run and have less environmental impact than similar appliances with lower energy efficiency. Using efficient appliances can save you hundreds of dollars each year in running costs

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