NZ appliance retailers tops down under

NZ appliance retailers tops down under

Since May last year New Zealand's appliance retailers have made a huge improvement in displaying information on energy consumption of whiteware, required by law in New Zealand, and are now doing better than their Australian counterparts.

Heather Staley, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says the May survey showed compliance of 63 percent. Australia's average is 78 percent, more than a decade after they introduced energy rating label regulations.

"We now have an average of 88 percent* of all whiteware for sale in appliance stores labelled with information for consumers on energy consumption. This is a terrific improvement and shows that New Zealand retailers and appliance manufacturers are taking their responsibilities to consumers seriously.

"When I go into appliance stores now the impression I get is that the energy rating labels have stuck. They have become so prolific that consumers now expect to see them on the products so they can easily compare running costs.

"Whiteware appliances generally serve a home for around 15 years. With the energy-rating label, consumers can make their buying decision armed with information on how the appliance will affect their power bill for the next 15 years," Ms Staley said.

Ms Staley said the appliance labelling programme is an important part of improving New Zealand's overall home energy use.

The Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 came into effect on 1 April 2002. Energy rating labels are required to be displayed on refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes dryers, clothes washers and household air conditioners. The labels show the energy rating of the appliance, in the form of stars out of six, as well as the units of electricity consumed per year.

"After the first survey we were disappointed about the lack of compliance in some stores. I am pleased that reminding retailers of their obligations has seen the five poorest performing stores improve their level of compliance from 15 to 62 percent. This is great news for consumers," Ms Staley said.

Ms Staley said EECA is working to change the way New Zealanders think about and use energy by promoting and supporting the uptake of energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. Information about EECA and the energy rating label is available on www.eeca.govt.nz

Key survey results are attached.

* The survey comprised of 2696 appliances in 58 stores in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.

Key survey results The national average improved from 63 percent of appliances correctly labelled to 88 percent.

The South Island recorded the best rate of compliance on 92 percent, followed by Auckland and Hamilton on 88 percent and Wellington on 86 percent.

Five stores had 100 percent compliance - Culpans 100% in St Helliers, Newbolds 100% in Upper Hutt, Farmers Wairau Park, Bond and Bond Newmarket, and Cassaredo Retravision in Pakuranga.

Compliance by appliance brand had Haier at the top of the list with 100 percent of products labelled; Fisher and Paykel had 95 percent, Samsung 93 percent, Simpson 90 percent and Westinghouse 82 percent.

The top buying group was Harvey Norman with 96 percent of appliances in their retail stores correctly labelled. Farmers were next with 95 percent, Appliance Connexion on 94 percent, Smiths City Group on 92 percent, Pacific Retail Group on 88 percent, Retravision on 87 percent, and Appliance Network Society on 78 percent.

Independent Stores recorded only 33 percent compliance but display less than five percent of appliances nationally. However, EECA will be taking steps to ensure they receive the same information and advice as the buying group members.

The five poorest performing retailers from the May survey were revisited. Collectively the stores improved from 15 percent compliance to 62 percent. The greatest improvement came from Farmers Lambton Quay, which moved from having only 11 percent of appliances correctly labelled to 98 percent.

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