Whether you’re replacing an old appliance or fitting out a new or renovated home, it's important to choose an appliance that will suit your needs now and into the future.
With electric appliances fast becoming the preferred choice for many households, here’s a simple guide to choosing the best electric appliances, focusing on efficiency and price.
Heating and cooling
Keeping your home comfortable year-round is essential, particularly during Victoria’s hot summers and cold winters. Heating and cooling account for the biggest chunk of the average home’s energy use – around 40% of the average bill – so choosing the right appliances can make all the difference to your energy bill.
Best for efficiency: Reverse cycle heating and cooling systems, also known as split systems, are highly energy efficient. They’re capable of delivering up to three units of heating or cooling for every unit of electricity consumed, meaning they use less energy and cost less to run.
For most households, split systems are a great heating and cooling solution, rolled into one tidy unit.
Best for price: Portable fans and portable electric heaters are generally the cheapest heating and cooling options to buy. However, they’re less effective than other heaters and air conditioners, and portable heaters are often expensive to run.
For an effective, cost-efficient heating and cooling solution, look for a split system that’s sized appropriately for your home. Smaller split systems are still very effective, particularly in smaller, contained spaces. Plus, they offer the benefit of being able to both heat and cool your home, saving you from buying an extra system.
Overall best heating and cooling system: Split systems combine affordability and efficiency, along with extra features such as quiet mode, advanced filtration and smart controls. They’re extremely energy efficient, which makes them relatively inexpensive to run. Plus, they come in a range of sizes which means you can get the right sized system for your home and avoid paying extra for capacity you don’t need.
Hot water system
After heating and cooling, hot water is the second biggest energy user in the average home, accounting for over 15% of the average energy bill. Efficient hot water systems play a big role in reducing energy bills and environmental impact.
Best for efficiency: Heat pump hot water systems are the most efficient water heating option available. They use ambient air to heat water with minimal energy consumption, allowing them to be up to 80% more efficient than conventional systems.
For solar households, heat pumps can offer even more benefits. They can be set to run on solar power, using solar to heat water during the day and storing it for use later on. In this way, they function like a thermal battery for solar power, increasing your use of solar energy and offering even greater financial and environmental benefits.
Best for price: Electric storage hot water systems are generally the most affordable to buy, however they can also be the most expensive hot water system to run.
Overall best hot water system: Due to advances in heat pump technology, heat pump hot water systems are now considered the most economical hot water system available. They use significantly less energy than conventional hot water systems and, when powered with solar energy, offer environmental benefits over alternative systems.
Oven and cooktop
Modern kitchens demand appliances that are functional, stylish and inexpensive to run. The oven and cooktop are among the most frequently used cooking appliances, and there are a range of options available.
Best for efficiency: Induction cooktops and fan-forced ovens are generally the most energy efficient. Fan-forced ovens offer more even heating and faster cooking times while induction cooktops heat cookware directly, resulting in minimal wasted heat and faster cooking times.
Best for price: Conventional electric ovens and cooktops are generally the most affordable to buy, however you lose out on efficiency and long-term running costs. Instead, it can be better to focus on choosing an oven with fewer advanced features and consider freestanding over built-in models.
Overall best oven and cooktop: Electric fan-forced ovens offer good efficiency and even cooking. You can tailor the purchase cost depending on the size and features you want.
Similarly, induction cooktops are more energy efficient than conventional cooktops, which means they cost less to run over the long term. While potentially more expensive upfront, they’re also better for your health than gas, are easier to clean and offer a sleek design.
Refrigerator
The refrigerator is one of the few home appliances that runs 24/7, so it can be a good idea to replace an old fridge particularly if it’s showing signs of poor performance, like excessive noise.
Best for efficiency: Modern fridges and freezers are more efficient than older models, regardless of what style you choose. Look at the Energy Star rating when choosing your fridge and remember that larger models will use more energy, so choose an appropriate size for you.
Best for price: Top and bottom mount fridge freezers are generally more affordable than French door models. While they might lack some advanced features, they offer a good balance between price and performance.
Overall best refrigerator: There’s generally no one-size-fits-all option for fridges and freezers. Depending on your priorities, there are a range of styles, finishes and extra features you can opt for. Just focus on choosing an appliance with a good Energy Star rating and that’s the right size for your needs.
Washing machine
Washing machines can be a big energy and water user in the laundry, accounting for up to around 5% of an average home’s energy use. For most, the decision between front load and top load machines comes down to efficiency, performance and convenience.
Best for efficiency: Front load washing machines are generally more efficient than top loaders, as they use less water and energy. Modern washing machines also often come with options for shorter wash cycles, cold washes and other energy saving features, while load sensing technology can adjust water levels and energy usage to suit the load size.
Best for price: Top load washing machines are generally less expensive to buy than front load machines, but bear in mind they can cost more to run. Choosing a basic model with fewer extra features can also help bring down the upfront cost.
Overall best washing machine:Front load washing machines are known for their efficiency and gentler handling of clothes, making them an excellent choice for most households. Top load machines can offer upfront affordability and convenience, just look for good Energy Star and Water Star ratings when making your purchase decision.