Efficient products

Every day we use many energy-consuming products including household appliances and business equipment.  We are buying more and more products every year and using them for longer.

Many common types of energy-using products in New Zealand consume more energy to perform their function than they need to. New Zealand can make big energy savings by improving the efficiency of new products.

Our products programme

The products programme focuses on providing consumer choice among the most efficient products and using standards to limit the worst energy performers. 

By requiring products to meet minimum energy performance standards before they can be sold, and by informing consumers about how to choose the more efficient products, we can provide an incentive for manufacturers to constantly improve energy efficiency.

Our programmes help New Zealand families and businesses to purchase and use products that use less energy and save money.

Minimum energy performance standards and labelling programme

Minimum Energy Performance Standards ensure that only efficient products are available for sale. Products must be tested and shown to meet a minimum standard for energy consumption.

Energy performance information is made available to consumers on energy rating labels. The labels allow consumers to see how much energy something will use and compare the energy performance of competing models.

ENERGY STAR® programme

ENERGY STAR is the global mark of energy efficiency awarded to the most efficient products in a class. In New Zealand it is currently found on televisions, heat pumps, dishwashers, washing machines, home electronics and office equipment.  It is an endorsement mark that shows consumers the very best energy performers.