GREENER machines
Searching for planet-friendly appliances that maximise your budget? Know what to look for with this expert guide.
BY JAEL LIVINGSTON
FREEPIK / FREEPIK. COM
From washing machines and dryers to fridges and freezers, these daily-use appliances can command a hefty price tag and have an equally big impact on the planet. Here’ s how to shop for eco-friendly whitegoods – and maximise energy efficiency at the same time.
Understanding the labels
When buying whitegoods, it’ s important to take energy usage into account alongside the retail price. Most whitegoods will carry a label with their energy star rating out of six or 10, along with an annual energy rating showing kilowatt hour usage per year. The more stars you see, the more energy efficient the appliance – and the lower your outgoings will be.
“ Generally, the more energy efficient an appliance, the cheaper it is in the long run,” explains Danielle Joyce, co-owner of Start Appliance Service( Startapplianceservice. com. au), a repair and maintenance business based on the New South Wales Central Coast.“ From a repair perspective, look for well-known brands. Cheaper brands don’ t last anywhere near as long as higher-end appliances and they’ re far less economical to repair as the parts aren’ t readily available.”
Products with a higher energy consumption also increase the demand for fossil fuels, thereby generating higher greenhouse emissions.
“ Do research so you’ re not relying on the salesperson to tell you what’ s the most efficient,” adds Joyce.“ Call repairers and see what their technicians recommend and also ask whether the appliance is built for easy repair, are the parts readily available and what sort of prices are those parts.”
Focus on the facts
If you’ re in the market for an eco-friendly appliance, it’ s also necessary to understand the company’ s claims around sustainability and their accuracy. There are some brands that put their money where their mouth is, but others may spend more time on marketing claims than putting sustainable practices to work. This is known as‘ greenwashing’ and usually comes in the form of exaggerated benefits and vague declarations.
“ Brands are under increasing pressure to show progress on sustainability,” explains Ashleigh Burnham, Head of Sustainability Strategy and Transformation at environmental consultancy firm Edge Impact( Edgeimpact. global),“ and there’ s a growing risk that companies will make unfounded claims, either accidentally or in a deliberate effort to attract customers.”
Burnham recommends members be diligent about their research and remain wary of unverified claims and labels.“[ Look for ] sustainability strategies and messaging based on sound science,” she adds.
Repair and care
Once you’ ve found the right appliance, ensure you keep it in good condition. Taking care of your whitegoods can significantly extend their lifespan and improve energy consumption.
“ Using eco-mode is definitely an easy win and absolutely familiarise yourself with
12 | SEP / OCT 2023 COSTCO CONNECTION