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  6. Tips on Buying Energy-Efficient Appliances

Tips on Buying Energy-Efficient Appliances

Don’t end up with energy guzzlers when buying a new appliance or replacing an appliance in your home. The following tips will help you choose energy efficient appliances for your home and reduce your electricity bills.

Choose models with lower life cycle costs. When buying an air-conditioner/ refrigerator/ water heater/ clothes dryer/ television, it is useful to look at the life cycle cost, in addition to the purchase price. The energy cost of the appliance over its lifespan can be many times of its purchase price.

Life Cycle Cost = Purchase Price + Estimated Electricity Cost over Lifespan (Annual Energy Cost × Lifespan (yrs))

In general, appliances with more ticks on the energy label are more energy efficient.

Designing or renovating your home?

Choose the right cooling capacity for your air-conditioner. Oversized or undersized air-conditioners operate less efficiently. 

Air-conditioners control both the air temperature and humidity, making it important to choose one with the right cooling capacity.  

An oversized air-conditioning system costs more to operate, and may not adequately dehumidify the space, as it cools too quickly before moisture can be reduced. On the other hand, an undersized air-conditioning system will not provide adequate cooling and dehumidification. 

To properly size your air conditioning system, a useful rule of thumb is as follows: 

Cooling capacity required in kW* = Total aircon floor area (m2) ÷ 5  
to convert to Btu/hr, multiply the cooling capacity figure in kW by 3,412 

Points to note:

  1. A larger air-conditioner may be needed for rooms with:
    • Double volume (i.e. double ceiling height)
    • A large window area (e.g. full-height glass windows)
    • Windows orientated towards the sun (i.e. east-west direction)
    • Additional heat sources such as bar fridges
  2. The total cooling capacity of a multi-split air-conditioner is usually the sum of the cooling capacities of the individual rooms. However, a smaller total cooling capacity may be sufficient if all the room units are not turned on at the same time.

  3. For a more detailed assessment of the cooling capacity required, please consult your air-conditioner supplier.

  1. When choosing a water heater for your new home or during a renovation, consider one with more ticks on the energy label.

  2. If you have access to roof space (e.g. living in landed property), consider installing a solar water heater.


  1. Purchase a refrigerator of appropriate size and capacity that meets your needs. 

  2. Consider whether additional features, such as automatic icemakers and through-the-door dispensers are needed as they increase energy usage.

Consider the need for a clothes dryer as air-drying your clothes is completely free!

If you really need one, consider the following tips:

  1. Purchase a clothes dryer of appropriate size and capacity that meets your needs. 

  2. Select a model with energy-saving features such as a moisture sensor that turns off the dryer when clothes are dried.

  3. Choose an energy efficient clothes dryer with more ticks on the energy label. Save about 6% of utility costs when you switch from a 2-tick clothes dryer to a 5-tick model

*Based on electricity cost of $0.29 per kWh of electricity (before GST), assuming a dryer of 8kg capacity, used 3 times per week 


Choose an energy efficient lamp with more ticks on the energy label. Choose a 3-tick light bulb over a 1-tick model and save about 1% of utility costs*.

*Based on electricity cost of $0.29 per kWh of electricity (before GST), 3 hours of daily usage, and 5 bulbs per household 

1. Use thermal cooking pots and pressure cookers as they cut down the energy required for cooking.

2. Use a thermos flask instead of an electric air-pot to keep hot water hot.