03.Whitegoods
We’ve selected a handful of whitegoods that scored highest for energy efficiency. CHOICE whitegoods expert Matthew Steen warns that a high energy efficiency rating does not necessarily equate to high overall performance. Washing machines (see below) are a case in point.
When it comes to Whitegoods, a Green Buy is a good overall performer that's very energy and water-efficient, from a brand with a good reliability rating, and whose combined purchase price and running cost is among the lowest on test. You will notice that some of the products below have not been awarded the Green Buy stamp. These products are the most energy efficient of the models recently tested but don't quite meet all our Green Buy criteria.
If you are interested in learning more about the product testing results see our recent tests of Kitchen and Laundry whitegoods and appliances.
Our running costs are calculated based on the following usage pattern: once a day, every day for 10 years. Costs are based on 20cents per kWh (and $1.50 per 1000L for water). Fridge running costs are based on its energy use every day, as they aren't appliances that are normally turned off regularly.
Fridges
Two fridges take top honours for energy efficiency. Both have energy consumption scores lower than their claimed amount. To find out more about these models and others, see our review of Fridges.
Electrolux ETM4407SC
Energy efficiency score: 90%
Claimed Energy Consumption (kwh/yr): 369
Measured Energy Consumption (kWh/yr): 353
Running costs ($/10yrs): 706
Electrolux ETM5207SC-R
Energy efficiency score: 90%
Claimed Energy Consumption (kwh/yr): 402
Measured Energy Consumption (kWh/yr): 377
Running costs ($/10yrs): 754
Dishwashers
Full size
To find out more about these models and others, see our review of Dishwashers.
Bosch Classic SMS50E12AU07 
Energy efficiency score: 89%
Energy use (kWh):
|
| 0.66
Running costs ($/10yrs): 548
Bosch Classic SMU50E25AU
Energy efficiency score: 90%
Energy use (kWh): 0.63
Running costs ($/10yrs): 526
Siemens SN45E502AU
Energy efficiency score: 90%
Energy use (kWh): 0.64
Running costs ($/10yrs): 533
Bosch Classic SMI50E25AU Energy efficiency score: 90%
Energy use (kWh): 0.63
Running costs ($/10yrs): 526
Bench top
Omega DW101 WA
Energy efficiency score: 94%
Energy use (kWh): 0.49
Running costs ($/10yrs): 436
Washing machines
We don't score energy efficiency of washers, but we do measure energy. As Matthew explains, the following CHOICE tested models scored well for using the least energy but only scored OK for overall performance. In this case we have included overall score. To find out more about these models and others, see our review of Washing machines.
Top loader
LG WT-H755
Overall Score:
|
| 67
Energy used (kWh):
|
| 0.096
Running costs ($/10yrs): 852
Front loader
Bosch Maxx WAE24271AU
Overall Score:
|
| 66
Energy used (kWh):
|
| 0.11
Running costs ($/10yrs):
|
| 365