Look for the logo when buying a new appliance

Look for "Energy Saving Recommended" labels on electrical goods.

Installing an energy efficient appliance will help you to conserve electricity and save money.

Look out for the blue Energy Saving Recommended Logo (pictured top-right) when buying a new appliance. This logo means that the item either meets or exceeds Government specified efficiency requirements and will save electricity, cost less to run and help the environment.

The energy efficiency logo is available on many different types of product; including televisions, boilers, fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. These appliances have gained this gold star of efficiency by utilising technologies and being able to provide the maximum output for the minimum input. This means that they use less energy to do the same job as other, less efficient versions of the same product; therefore being more environmentally sound.

Recommended energy efficient products do tend to be slightly more expensive than their less efficient counterparts, but the savings they’ll produce on your electricity bills will soon balance out your initial expenditure.

Another great way to spot energy efficient appliances is by checking out the energy rating of the equipment. All appliances will have a rating sticker on them like the one on the right, rating the equipment from A to G, A being the most efficient. Some appliances will more than one rating. For example, a washing machine will have separate ratings for energy, wash and spin performance so a top-rated washing machine will be labelled as AAA (A for each of the three factors).