What would you like hints and tips on?
Energy Efficiency Hints and Tips
- Understanding star ratings on appliances
Star rating labels are very useful in assisting to select an energy efficient gas heating appliance. The main thing to remember is they are best used to compare one gas heater with another. They can not be used to compare appliances of different fuel types. The star rating label shows four important pieces of information:1. Maximum Heat Output
This is the highest heat output and has been checked and verified by an independent laboratory. Use this figure to make sure that an appliance is big enough to heat the space required.
2. Annual Energy Consumption
This is the amount of energy an appliance would use if it were run for 2½ hours on high setting and 2½ hours on low setting for 100 days per year. It is unlikely that a consumer will use exactly this amount of energy but is very useful as a baseline to compare one appliance with another. Be cautious of suppliers who are quoting only a thermal efficiency figure rather than displaying a star rating label with annual energy consumption. It is likely that the efficiency quoted is that on the highest setting. As you usually use the appliance on a lower setting as often (if not more often) than on full, the absence of the star rating label may indicate an appliance which operates at poor efficiency at other than full fire.
3. Star Band
This is a visual representation of the annual energy consumption and is great for a quick reference. It should be used for comparing one gas heating appliance with another. Remember it can not be used to compare appliances of other fuel types.
4. Safety Assurance
A star rating label is part of the rigorous Australian appliance safety approvals regime. The label can not be issued until an appliance has passed both extensive safety and efficiency tests. The presence of the star rating label gives an additional level of assurance that the product has been independently verified as meeting safety requirements.
For more information about energy efficient appliances, click here to visit Rinnai's website.
