Here is a challenge to you that will help solve the climate crisis: lower the CO2 emissions of your appliances and electronics by up to 50% by buying the most efficient ones available. Be sure to ask your retailer how its products stack up against your country's efficiency ratings. For more information about how to understand product efficiency ratings, read on.

Around the world there are a variety of labels that show the energy efficiency of appliances. These labels may be voluntary or mandatory. Energy labels are most commonly found on refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers and air-conditioners. The labels show average energy use and usually show a sliding scale, number of stars or A-G ratings to show how efficient the appliance is compared to other available appliances. The label may also show how much the appliance will cost to run for a year.

Find your country below and learn about how you can make a difference on the climate crisis.



Country Labeling Example Resources
United States ENERGYSTAR is a voluntary label for products that meet government energy efficiency criteria. Seen on: appliances, heating and cooling, home insulation, home electronics, office equipment, lighting, commercial food service products, and other commercial products. Visit Website
EnergyGuide mandatory label shows expected annual energy use and a comparison to similar models. Look for a product on the low end (to the left) on the scale. Seen on: refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters, air-conditioners, boilers, furnaces, pool heaters, and lighting lamps and ballasts. Visit Website
Canada EnerGuide is a mandatory label showing actual and comparative annual energy use. Seen on: refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, ranges/ovens, and air-conditioners. Visit Website
Australia The Top Energy Saver Award is awarded to the most efficient Energy Rating labeled products on the market. Visit Website
The Energy Rating mandatory label shows actual and comparative annual energy use. Seen on: refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and lighting ballasts. Visit Website
European Union The Energy Label shows actual and comparative energy use. Look for products with a grade towards the top of the chart (A is more efficient than G). Mandatory label seen on: refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, ranges/ovens, air-conditioners, and lighting ballasts. Go to topten.info to see the most efficient products available in Europe. Visit Website
United Kingdom Energy Savings Recommended products meet strict energy efficiency criteria. Voluntary label seen on products with the EU Energy Label plus windows, TVs with integrated digital recorders, and boilers. Visit Website
Germany The Blue Angel is awarded to products and services that meet strict environmental criteria including energy efficiency where appropriate. About 3,700 products and services in 80 product categories bear the Blue Angel. Visit Website
Japan Voluntary Energy Savings Labels can be seen on: air conditioners, fluorescent lights, TVs, refrigerators, freezers, space heaters, gas cooking appliances, gas burning heaters, oil burning water heaters, electric toilet seats, computers, magnetic disk units, and transformers. Visit Website
China Mandatory China Energy Label label is seen on: refrigerators, clothes washers, and air-conditioning. Look for products toward the top of the chart (1 is more efficient than 5). Visit Website
South Africa Energy Appliance Label is a voluntary labeling program that follows the EU label with small changes. Look for products toward the top of the chart (A is more efficient than G). Seen on refrigerators, freezers, and clothes washers. Visit Website
Brazil The Stamp Procel is a voluntary label awarded to products with the highest energy efficiency. Visit Website
Mandatory Energy Labels can be seen on: refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, ranges/ovens, air-conditioning, furnaces, and motors. Look for products higher on the chart (A is more efficient than G). Visit Website
Turkey Mandatory Energy Labels can be seen on: refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and lamps.