Electricity guide · New Zealand
NZ Appliance Energy Rating Labels — Guide
Learn how to read an appliance Energy Rating Label in New Zealand and turn annual kWh or per-cycle energy figures into a practical running-cost estimate.
Reviewed 26 August 2026
Reviewed by KiwiTools editorial team — NZ energy researchers using Electricity Authority and EECA sources
General planning information. Electricity rates, appliance performance and solar terms vary by household, address, retailer and installation.
Key points
Energy Rating Labels in brief
Stars compare energy efficiency between similar products, while the kWh figure provides the energy-consumption input for a running-cost estimate.
Multiply label kWh by your electricity price in dollars per kWh to estimate variable energy cost under the label's test assumptions.
Compare products of a similar type and capacity because a larger efficient appliance can still use more total energy than a smaller model.
What the label’s annual kWh assumes
Label figures come from standard tests, which make models comparable. They are not a promise of a household’s exact bill.
| Check | Label basis | How to personalise it |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes dryer | 52 uses a year | Scale by your loads per week |
| Washer/dishwasher | 365 uses a year | Scale by cycles and chosen programme |
| Fridge/freezer | Runs 24 hours a day | Allow for room temperature and use |
| TV/monitor | 10 hours on, 14 standby daily | Scale by actual on-time |
| Heat pump | Climate-zone test data | Match zone, size and set point |
Stars compare efficiency; kWh estimates consumption
More stars indicate better efficiency among comparable models. The annual kWh figure gives the energy used under the label’s standard test assumptions, which is what turns into a dollar estimate.
Compare similar capacity and function. A tiny fridge can use less energy than a large one while still being less efficient for its size.
Read the small test assumption before pricing a year
EECA’s label basis includes 52 annual uses for a clothes dryer and 365 for a dishwasher or washer. If your dryer runs four times a week, scale the per-cycle figure rather than accepting the one-load-a-week annual number.
Fridges assume continuous operation; televisions use stated on and standby hours; heat-pump labels are climate-zone specific. The test is a fair comparison, not a prediction of your household.
Read the related calculate electricity cost from watts guideRead the related heat pump vs condenser dryer cost guideRead the related electricity rate per kwh guide
Purchase price and lifetime energy belong in one decision
A model costing $300 more but saving $70 a year recovers that premium in roughly 4.3 years before discounting or repair differences. If it is likely to be kept for ten years, the efficient option has time to work.
Noise, size, repairability and performance still matter. The cheapest lifetime kWh is not useful if the appliance cannot do the job.
Frequently asked questions
What do the stars on an Energy Rating Label mean?
The stars indicate comparative energy efficiency. More stars generally means greater efficiency when comparing similar products of the same type and suitable size.
What does kWh per year on an appliance label mean?
It is an annual energy-consumption estimate based on standardised testing and assumed usage, not a guarantee of what every household will consume.
How do I calculate annual appliance running cost?
Multiply the label's annual kWh by your electricity price in dollars per kWh. For example, 400 kWh at $0.34/kWh is $136.
Can I compare star ratings across different appliance sizes?
Use caution. Stars are most useful between comparable products. Capacity, features and total kWh still matter because a larger model may consume more energy overall.
Why is my real appliance energy use different from the label?
Temperature, settings, load size, frequency, standby use, maintenance and household behaviour can differ from the standard test assumptions.
Put the guide into practice
Continue with related KiwiTools calculators
Test your own numbers, compare scenarios and return to the guide to check assumptions and limitations.