Appliances
Appliances use about a third of the average home's electricity bill.[1] This amount is growing as we continue to buy more appliances, and use them for more hours every day.
Appliances in our homes include:
- Fridges and freezers
- Home entertainment - TVs, DVD players, stereo systems
- Home office equipment - computers, printers and faxes
- Cooking equipment
- Washing machines and tumble dryers.
You can save even more if you use your appliances sensibly and switch them off when you aren't using them.
Learn more
In this section we provide you with information on:
- Appliance running costs and smart use
- Choosing and buying appliances
- Appliance energy-saving tips
- Whiteware
- Home entertainment
- Office equipment.
Standards and ratings
Many products sold in New Zealand are required to carry labels that state how much electricity they use on an annual basis. This is important to know because there are two "price tags" that come with any appliance: the upfront price and the ongoing running costs.
When choosing your next appliance, you can save money on the ongoing running costs by looking at:
Notes:
[1] Isaacs, N P (ed). 2006. Energy Use in New Zealand Households: Report on Year 10 of the Household Energy End-Use Project. Wellington: BRANZ.
