We all know the trusty 30-year-old fridge or washing machine that your grandma gave you when you moved out of home is built to last. As such, it can be hard to get rid of, but chances are it’s an energy sucker. Energy efficiency has come a long way in recent years, and it’s often one of the biggest things people look out for when buying a new appliance.
But which appliances are the most energy efficient in Australia? If it’s time for you to retire Nanna’s old hand-me-down then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gone through the huge selection of whitegoods available from Appliances Online and other leading brand websites to find you the most energy-efficient products – from refrigerators to washing machines – so you’ll know what to look for when you go appliance shopping.
So, without further ado, here are some of the most energy-efficient appliances in Australia for 2022:
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Most Energy-Efficient Fridges
Fridges are pretty easy to figure out. Often, the smaller the fridge, the more energy efficient it is, but it still pays to refer to the energy rating of each fridge that you’re looking at. Luckily for shoppers though, more and more brands are starting to work on their energy efficiency for larger models too, with the likes of Hisense and Liebherr leading the charge.
Hisense 483L PureFlat Bottom Mount Refrigerator (HRBM483B)
This bad boy isn’t very ‘white goods-y’ at all – in fact, it’s finished with black steel. It stands at 175.6cm in height and has a width and depth of 794mm and 675.5mm respectively. Its fridge volume is 344L, which places it in the smaller range of fridge sizes, and its freezer volume is rather large at 139L. Most importantly, this model has been engineered for efficiency, coming in with one of Australia’s highest energy-efficiency ratings for fridges with six stars. To aid in this six star rating, Hisense’s inverter and multi-air flow technology maintains the ideal temperature for cooling, making for a quieter and more efficient product.
In addition to a high energy rating, this fridge also features reversable doors, which allows it to be seamlessly integrated into any home design or space. Other notable features include a multi-function touch control panel, electronic temperature control and a ‘Holiday Powersave’ function – which allows the fridge to be set to a lower temperature whilst you are away on holidays to help save on electricity usage costs. Overall, expect this fridge to cost you around $1,635.
- 6 stars for energy efficiency
Liebherr 350L Bottom Mount Fridge (CNEF4315LH)
For a smaller model, you might consider this 350L unit from Liebherr which is rated 5.5 stars for energy efficiency. Equipped with Liebherr’s DuoCooling – two independent cooling circuit systems – this model is boasted to remove food odour transfer between the fridge and freezer, minimise food drying out, prevent freezing of fruit and veg, as well as allow you to switch the fridge and freezer on or off independently from each other. This Liebherr unit also includes a NoFrost feature and LED lighting to help with energy efficiency.
It offers 350L total capacity with 230L available for the fridge and 120L for the freezer zone, making it best suited for a smaller household. This model comes in a stainless-steel finish with Liebherr’s SoftSystem technology that allows the door to be opened up to 115 degrees. Overall, expect this fridge to cost $3,749 (RRP). While that does places it at the premium-end of the fridge world, the high energy efficiency may just help you to save on your next energy bill.
- 5.5 stars for energy efficiency
Most Energy-Efficient Dishwashers
Buying a dishwasher can be a confusing process with all of the different types of dishwashers out there, including integrated, freestanding, dish-drawers and so on. There is only one six star dishwasher on Appliances Online, and it has come from left of field. It’s by V-ZUG – a seriously quality Swiss appliance brand. So, let’s see how this V-ZUG dishwasher earned its stripes.
V-ZUG AdoraDish V6000 Fully Integrated Dishwasher with Heat Pump (4112100007)
Knocking its energy-efficiency rating out of the park with a perfect six, the AdoraDish features 12 washing programs, and comes with a half-load option, as well as a quick wash cycle function. Its OptiStart features adds an ‘extra dimension’ to the delay start feature by wetting the dishes prior to start time, helping to soften the dirt and grime which allows the machine to run at a lower temperature. This feature is claimed to reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent!
It’s a larger unit, suited for households of four or more people. That doesn’t mean it’s an obnoxious size though – it’s less than 90cm tall and operates at 43 decibels. It earned a six star energy rating, and uses a low 111kWh of energy each year, on average. It also boasts a five star water rating, using just 11.2L per cycle. Expect to pay a fairly hefty sum of around $6,000 for this dishwasher, but for top quality and energy efficiency, you may find the price is worth it.
- 6 stars for energy efficiency
- 5 stars for water efficiency
Miele Freestanding Stainless Steel Dishwasher (G7104SCCLST)
Designed with the family in mind, this Miele freestanding dishwasher is perfect for all daily loads, no matter the size, or mess! While it might not have the same energy efficiency rating as the V-ZUG model above, it can be had for over half the price at $2,199. In addition to offering a wide variety of cycles including ECO, Auto, Gentle, QuickPowerWash, Intensive and ExtraQuiet, this model also comes with an ‘express wash’ feature which can be added to any program and help to reduce the washing time by up to 50 per cent.
This unit has earned a 4.5 star energy-efficiency rating and consumes on average 189kWh of energy a year. In terms of water efficiency, it has earnt a six star rating, using just 9.2L per cycle. Additionally, it operates at a low noise level of 44 decibels, making it one of the quietest washers on the market.
- 5 stars for energy efficiency
- 6 stars for water efficiency
Most Energy-Efficient Washing Machines
There’s a great divide in the washing machine world: Are you a front loader or a top loader household? Each have their benefits and drawbacks, but as far as all-out energy efficiency is concerned, you can’t really go past a front loader. Two such front loader brands to dominate the rankings are V-ZUG and Electrolux. Let’s see how both brands fared.
V-ZUG AdoraWash V6000 8kg Front Load Washing Machine (1102510010)
With 8kg capacity, this V-ZUG AdoraWash front loader gets a near perfect 5.5 stars for energy efficiency! And while this is an article about energy efficiency, we definitely think it’s worth mentioning that this particular washing machine also ranks high for water efficiency – four stars. It contains a massive 18 pre-programmed functions, and perhaps most noteworthy, a delayed start function, giving you the ability to select the time you want to start your wash, allowing for use of the off-peak energy prices for example.
It boasts an average energy consumption of 148kWh a year, and for water uses a relatively measly 69L of water a cycle. With a price tag of $5,999, it’s definitely a high-end washing machine, but the trade-off is more efficient operation.
- 5 stars for energy efficiency
- 4 stars for water efficiency
Electrolux 10kg Front Load Washing Machine with SensorWash (EWF1042R7WB)
This front loader from Electrolux is another model to boast a five star energy-efficiency rating. It features 15 wash programs including wool and sports. On top of that, it’s designed with a gentle drum, which has smaller holes for the quick moving water to pass through, reducing the risk of pulling for your clothes whilst on high-speed spinning cycles. Additionally, with Electrolux’s hygiene care and deeper clean options you can also rest assured that most germs, dirt and soil residue will be quickly removed from your garments.
This model has an average annual energy consumption of 218kWh. As for water, it uses 86L per wash, giving it a 4.5 star water-efficiency rating. With 10kg of washing capacity, it is ideal for a family, retailing for $1,649.
- 5 stars for energy efficiency
- 5 stars for water efficiency
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Most Energy-Efficient Clothes Dryers
Let’s face it, clothes dryers are never going to be the most energy-efficient appliances. Not all are made equal, however, as far as efficiency goes, you can’t really beat a heat pump dryer. Heat pump dryers basically work in reverse of an air conditioner – they bring warm air from outside to dry the clothes.
Did you think the energy efficiency scale only went to six? We hate to break it to you, but you’d be wrong – the scale actually extends up to 10 for some appliances, with those scoring 5.5 stars or more deemed to be ‘super-efficient’. Two brands that are drying up the competition are LG and Asko.
LG 8kg Heat Pump Dryer with Inverter Control (DVH5-08W)
Enter this heat pump clothes dryer from LG with a whopping nine stars for energy efficiency! It comes with 14 different drying programs, including specific cycles for both delicate clothes and sportswear, plus it has 8kg of drying capacity. It’s packed full of sensors to determine things like temperature and moisture among other variables. With nine stars for its energy efficiency, it has an energy usage of just 115kWh/52 uses. While it is costly compared to some other dryers at around $2,039 (RRP), we suspect the trade-off might be worth it in the long-run.
- 9 stars for energy efficiency
ASKO 10kg Heat Pump Dryer (T410HD.W)
Scandinavian manufacturer ASKO is another brand to offer a clothes dryer with a nine star energy-efficiency rating. It’s boasted for 14 different drying programs with anti-crease, low-temperature and wool specific options. Other settings include everything from preventing clothes bundling to time saving programs. All this does come with a price though, with this model retailing for $2,899. But your energy savings from this appliance might help pay it off over time. That’s the thing about buying energy-efficient appliances – you need to consider the upfront cost versus what you can expect to pay, and save, in power bills over time.
- 9 stars for energy efficiency
Most Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners
Perhaps the most notorious black sheep for energy inefficiency are air conditioners. You have to be generally careful with these appliances as running air conditioners constantly can blow out your power bill. Some are worse than others, but luckily brands such as Kelvinator and Fujitsu are working to change air conditioners’ bad raps.
It is important to note that with an air conditioner, particularly with reverse cycle systems, you may find that there is a different energy-efficiency rating for cooling and heating.
Kelvinator 2.5kW Split System Reverse Cycle Inverter Air Conditioner (KSD25HWJ)
For one of the best air conditioners on the market you can’t go past Kelvinator’s 2.5kW Split System Reverse Cycle and its 10 star efficiency rating (five stars for cooling, five stars for heating). It’s packed with features such as three filters to help ventilate and purify the air, sleep mode and an innovative Follow Me function which detects when you enter the room and adjusts the temperature accordingly.
The Kelvinator’s advanced invertor technology also makes for a quiet unit, emitting no more than 46db inside the home! It also has an optional app function that lets you control all settings from your smartphone or tablet. At 2.5kw, it’s a smaller sized unit probably best suited to a small room or study. For such a small size, you can expect to pay a reasonable price of $939 (RRP) for this model.
- 5 stars for energy efficiency (cooling)
- 5 stars for energy efficiency (heating)
Fujitsu 6kW Reverse Cycle Split System Inverter Air Conditioner (ASTG22KMTC)
If you are after a larger unit, this Fujitsu 6kW air conditioner features a bunch of energy saving technologies including a sleep timer and human sensor controls. Whether it is for heating or cooling this unit will automatically adjust to the climate and project the right temperature thanks to its many sensor controls. Plus, with a sleep and weekly timer, this unit won’t spend any time cooling or heating spaces that don’t require it.
Though not the highest rating unit at seven stars for energy efficiency (three stars for cooling, four stars for heating), it is one of the more costly units at $2,999 (RRP) thanks to its size. But if it’s heating and cooling for a large space you are after, then this 6kW unit might be the one for you.
- 3 stars for energy efficiency (cooling)
- 4 stars for energy efficiency (heating)
Most Energy-Efficient TVs
TVs have become an essential appliance for Aussie homes, but even on standby, TVs can chew up a large amount of energy. While a high energy efficiency rating in a TV is hard to find, brands like TCL and Hisense have attempted to lead the charge. See what these two brands have to offer below.
TCL 65 Inch P615 4K UHD Android TV (65P615)
Although high energy-efficiency ratings are hard to come by in TVs, one brand which comes close, at the time of writing, is this TCL unit with a six star energy rating for $999 (RRP). It features AI Integrated technology, allowing you to control the functionality of your TV by speaking into the microphone on the remote. You can also connect Amazon Alexa and Chromecast enabled devices to switch channels and adjust the volume all through voice commands.
Equipped with Freeview Plus, you can access free-to-air digital television and Catch Up TV. Additionally, you can view video streaming apps, including Netflix, Stan, and YouTube, through the Entertainment Hub. Its Clear Motion Rate is designed to reduce motion blur during fast-paced shows or movies, maintaining a clear viewing experience, according to TCL.
- 6 stars for energy efficiency
Hisense 75 Inch A7G 4K UHD HDR Smart LED TV (75A7G)
This 75-inch TV from Hisense has an energy-efficiency rating of 5.5 stars. With its Wide Colour Gamut stated to display over one billion colours with accuracy, this TV is celebrated for its colour enhancing technology. In addition, it features Dolby Vision HDR which contrasts the ratio of the images produced to enhance clarity, creating a cinematic and immersive feel.
Hisense’s VIDAA U5 operating system is said to make this TV simple to use, allowing you to access streaming apps and your favourite shows with ease. You can pick this model up for a mid-range price of $1,699.
- 5 stars for energy efficiency
Are these energy-efficient appliances right for me?
Although these appliances are undoubtedly very energy efficient, they are also very costly. Before buying the latest and greatest appliances, it’s worth considering how long it’ll take to recoup the cost of the unit price versus the actual energy savings over time. One thing is for sure, the next time you go shopping for new home appliances, you’ll hopefully be better informed about what energy efficiency really looks like!
When it doubt, you can always look for the star ratings sticker. It’s also important to do some research on the appliances you’re in need of in relation to your household size – if it’s just you at home, chances are you don’t need a $4,000 dishwasher… though you might – who are we to judge?
But forking out big bucks on a new energy-efficient appliance will only go so far if you are still on a dud energy plan, so be sure to compare a range of providers using our free comparison tool below. Just click the link, add your postcode and you’re good to go!
FAQs about Energy-Efficient Appliances
The best way to determine which appliance will be the most energy efficient is through the star ratings sticker found on the box. Thanks to a Federal Government initiative to help consumers, most appliances – mainly whitegoods – are required to have an energy ratings label on them. This rating is usually out of six stars, although some do go up to 10, and measures the appliance’s approximate annual energy consumption. Appliances with the lowest annual energy consumption will typically have the highest star rating and thus be the most energy efficient, but it’s best to compare all the specifications to ensure it will be the most energy efficient for you.
Typically, the most energy efficient appliances will be things like dishwashers, fridges, washing machines and dryers as these require mandatory star ratings around their energy efficiency. Below is list of the most energy efficient appliances we found on Appliances Online from each of these categories and more:
- Liebherr 350L Bottom Mount Fridge: 5.5 stars out of 6 for energy efficiency
- CHiQ 550L Top Mount Fridge: 4 stars out of 6 for energy efficiency
- V-Zug ‘Adora’ Fully Integrated Dishwasher: 6 stars out of 6 for energy efficiency
- Bosch Serie 6 Freestanding Dishwasher: 4 stars out of 6 for energy efficiency
- Asko Pro Wash 8kg Front Load Washing Machine: 5 stars out of 5 for energy efficiency
- Electrolux 10kg Front Load Washing Machine: 5 stars out of 5 for energy efficiency
- LG 8kg Heat Pump Dryer: 9 stars out of 9 for energy efficiency
- Asko 10kg Heat Pump Dryer : 9 stars out of 9 for energy efficiency
- Kelvinator 5.0kW Split System Reverse Cycle Inverter Air Conditioner : 7 stars out of 7 for energy efficiency
- Fujitsu 7.1kW Reverse Cycle Split System Inverter Air Conditioner : 6.5 stars out of 7 for energy efficiency
- Hisense 75 Inch Series 7 4K UHD HDR Smart ULED TV: 7 stars out of 7 for energy efficiency
- TCL 50 Inch 4K UHD HDR Android Smart QUHD LED TV: 6 stars out of 7 for energy efficiency
To improve the energy efficiency of your appliances its best, first of all, to see if they are already considered energy efficient. You might find that some of the older appliances in your home, though sturdy and dependable machines, are eating up your power bill, so switching to more energy efficient appliances where you can is probably the best way to ensure maximum energy efficiency.
If it’s not in the budget to switch your pre-existing appliances over to energy efficient products, then there are still some things you can be doing to improve the energy efficiency of your appliances. This could include running it on a shorter, more eco friendly cycle, turning it off at the switch when its not in use (if that’s possible) and using cold water as opposed to hot when you can.
Avoiding second-hand appliances where you can will also improve energy efficiency as these products tend to be less energy efficient and more likely to break in a shorter amount of time.
Energy efficient appliances are good for the environment as they help reduce your electricity usage, which ultimately reduces the carbon dioxide being emitted from these appliances. Less energy being used means less carbon entering the atmosphere, which helps the climate to stay more neutral and prevent pollutants from overwhelming our surroundings.
Energy efficient appliances which have been purchased by an individual in a store generally won’t be tax deductible. However, there are certain rebates and schemes across Australia that reward certain energy efficient purchases.
Businesses and landlords, for example, are generally able to claim the energy efficient appliances they installed on their premises on their tax return, but this may vary from state to state.
Here are the current energy efficient schemes and rebates available for residents as of May 2021:
VIC: Receive discounts and special offers to help cover cost of replacing fridges and freezers, heating and cooling, hot water systems, lighting, TVs, clothes dryers, pool pumps and standby power controllers under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Conditions apply.
QLD: Receive financial incentives when installing energy efficient air conditioning through the PeakSmart air conditioning program. Available on the Energex and Ergon Energy network. Conditions apply.
NSW: Receive financial incentives for switching to energy efficient LED lights through NSW Government Energy Savings Scheme. Conditions apply.
ACT: Receive financial incentives for upgrading to an energy efficient heating and cooling unit with ActewAGL. Conditions apply.
For a full list of terms and conditions for these rebates, please visit the respective government sites.
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