Energy

Designing homes to conserve energy and use it efficiently, from sources that cause least environmental harm.

Appliances

Energy and water use can be reduced significantly, without any reduction in building occupants’ quality of life, by specifying efficient appliances.

Appliances such as whiteware, heated towel rails, televisions and DVDs in an average New Zealand house can account for 30–40% of energy use. Therefore, any reduction in energy use associated with appliances can have a significant impact in terms of both national sustainability and cost to the householder.

Energy can be saved by:

  • selecting energy-efficient appliances
  • sizing appliances for the household’s needs
  • locating appliances to minimise energy use (e.g. keeping refrigerators out of direct sunlight)
  • operating appliances efficiently, e.g. turning them off rather than running in standby mode.

Efficient appliances are making an impact

EECA, the Crown agency that promotes energy efficiency, regulates energy-using products in New Zealand under the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) programme, work carried out in collaboration with Australia. EECA stats shows that more than 102 million products were sold under E3 between 2002 and 2024.

The efficiency of regulated appliances is improving:

  • In 2002, the most efficient washing machines (4.5 stars) made up less than 1% of the total sold. In the year ending March 2024, machines with 4.5 or 5 stars made up 36% of total sales.
  • Before 2010, there were no clothes dryers above 4 stars but with more efficient heat pump technology, there are products now rated up to 10 stars.
  • In 2002 just 5% of the dishwashers sold had energy ratings of 3.5 stars or higher, but in the year ending March 2024 this had grown to 80%.

Heat pumps and domestic fridges have made some of the biggest gains in energy efficiency.

Energy costs can also be reduced by shopping around between energy suppliers. There are several websites that can help with online comparisons, including Powerswitch, Glimp and Powercompare.

Consumer New Zealand, which operates the Powerswitch website, says that there is potential for many more people to switch providers and save money. It says that over 90% of people who use its services find they can save money, with average savings of around $400 a year.

 

Updated: 28 January 2025