Purchasing advice
Use the Trust’s product lists and recommendations
- Look for the Trust’s Energy Saving Label
- Look for energy labels
- Look for Energy Star
- Look for Flower and Swan Ecolabels
- Use the product lists before you buy new equipment
Look for the Trust’s Energy Saving Label
By and large, when you choose products with the Energy Saving Label you get a product that is cheapest in the long run. Even though the purchase price can be slightly higher, you’ll pocket the difference by using less electricity; you will also help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Look for or ask about the Energy Saving Label when you shop for:
- A-rated energy saving bulbs
- Fridges and freezers
- Washing machines
- AutoPowerOff and other energy saving equipment
- Computers
- Computer monitors
- Domestic central heating circulator pumps
- Wireless devices
We are continually working to expand the range of appliances with the Energy Saving Label, so check back regularly to see what’s new.
Look for energy labels
Look for the EU’s mandatory energy labelling scheme if appliances are not labelled with the Trust’s own Energy Saving Label. This is a guide for those who would like appliances with low energy consumption.
Products which must display the EU energy label:
- Fridges and freezers
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
- Tumble dryers
- Washer dryers
- Electric light bulbs
- Electric ovens
- Air conditioners for household use
Look for Energy Star
Energy Star is a voluntary energy labelling scheme which can be used on the most energy friendly IT and computer equipment, such as computers, computer monitors, printers and copiers. The label has the same requirements for energy efficiency as the Trust’s Energy Saving Label but is currently not as widely used.
Look for Flower and Swan Ecolabels
Flower and Swan are the European and Nordic Ecolabels. Both Flower and Swan have laid down energy efficiency requirements for all power consuming products.
These 2 eco labels guarantee that the products:
- place the least strain on the environment for this type of product
- are at least as good as other products of the same type
- do not contain materials that are harmful to your health.
Use the product lists before you buy new equipment
Find product lists and retailers, and see examples of the savings which are possible with energy saving products. You can calculate your own savings and get good advice on how to use both new and old equipment as energy efficiently as possible.
Page last updated 06.10.2008