Energy efficient appliances
Household appliances can account for up to 25 per cent of a typical household's energy use - creating an opportunity for saving energy costs.
You may wish to consider replacing your gas stovetop with a more energy efficient induction or ceramic electric stovetop.
Electric stovetops are typically cheaper to run, better for the environment, and provide greater thermal control than gas stovetops. If your gas stovetop is the last gas appliance in your home, then replacing it may also give you the opportunity to save money on gas supply charges.
You may also wish to consider other energy efficient appliances.
Induction stovetops
Induction stovetops use electromagnetic coils below a top made of tempered ceramic glass. They transfer energy direct to the cookware, rather than to the stovetop, increasing safety as well as the efficiency of your energy use. Induction stovetops transfer approximately 90 per cent of energy to cookware, making cooking quicker, whereas for gas the figure is about 50 per cent.
Induction stovetops require certain types of cookware to work with the electromagnetic cookware. To find out if your existing cookware is compatible you can test it with a magnet - if the magnet sticks, then it should work on an induction stovetop.
Ceramic stovetops
Ceramic stovetops use coiled metal elements below a top made of tempered ceramic glass. The coils heat the glass, which heats what is on it. Ceramic stovetops have a smooth, flat surface, often have pause and lock buttons (making them safer around children), while some models have inbuilt safety mechanisms to switch off automatically if there is a spill or an empty pot sitting on the stove.
Electric stovetops are placed into an appropriately sized hole on your bench top, and their installation will usually require an electrician, who should ensure that the installation is in accordance with Australian Standards. You should also talk to your electrician about the electrical work that may be required to perform an installation - because electricity connection upgrades may be needed if your home is connected to a 'single phase' supply. The costs of installing a stovetop can be included as part of the Energy Saver Loan Scheme, if installation is part of the transaction to purchase the stovetop.
Other appliances
Replacing older appliances may also help you to make savings. Appliances that can be financed with an Energy Saver Loan include fridges, freezers, clothes washing machines, clothes dryers, and dishwashers.
Talk with your supplier about which of these products are eligible.
They must appear on the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Register to be financed with an Energy Save Loan.
They must also have minimum energy star ratings:
- fridges/freezers - 5.0
- clothes washing machines - 4.5
- clothes dryers - 6.0
- dishwashers - 4.5
Energy star ratings describe the energy efficiency of your appliance compared to other appliances of the same size. First choose what size appliance you want, and then use the energy star rating to compare models. The higher the number of stars on the energy rating label, the less energy the appliance will use, saving you money over the life of the appliance.
For more information about energy star ratings, visit energyrating.gov.au.
For more information about how to read energy star rating labels, and about how to calculate the running costs of an appliance, visit Understand the Energy Rating Label.