The key points

  • Compare stars between similar appliances.
  • Read annual kWh as a separate useful figure.
  • Use your own tariff and stated assumptions.

Build a fair comparison first

Start with appliances that meet your kitchen fit and storage requirements. Compare broadly similar capacities and features, including whether they provide ice making or other functions. A larger appliance can have a strong star rating and still use more electricity overall than a smaller one.

Put each model on a short comparison sheet with separate columns for fresh-food capacity, freezer capacity, stars and annual kWh. This prevents an attractive rating from obscuring a compartment split that does not suit your household. Settle the storage job before ranking the energy figures.

Use stars and consumption for different questions

The star rating expresses efficiency in relation to the appliance's size and relevant features. The annual energy consumption is a standardised estimate, shown in kWh per year. It gives you a separate number to compare once the products are suitable for your needs.

Check that you are reading the label for the exact model and version. Avoid comparing a current label with a rating remembered from an old appliance: rating methods can change. If a listing does not show the label clearly, ask for the matching energy information rather than inferring it from a similar-looking fridge.

Estimate the electricity component of cost

Multiply the annual kWh figure by your electricity usage rate in dollars per kWh. For an arithmetic example only, 300 kWh multiplied by $0.30 equals $90 per year. Those are illustrative inputs, not a product's measured consumption or a tariff recommendation.

Use your own bill for the rate. Time-varying tariffs need more care because an annual total does not reveal when the electricity is used. Keep the estimate alongside purchase and installation costs, and label your assumptions so the comparison remains understandable later.

Keep the estimate in context

Energy labels use standardised testing. Actual use can differ with room conditions, settings and household routines. The label is a comparison tool, not a promise about the amount on a future bill. Check installation and ventilation instructions as part of choosing a suitable location.

When comparing Value House items, review the individual Brand New, Factory Second or Resealed condition and stated warranty alongside the model's energy data. Pickup is by appointment. Make sure the exact appliance, its condition and the energy information all match before arranging collection.

Before you buy

  • Confirm the exact model's energy label.
  • Compare capacity and features fairly.
  • Calculate kWh multiplied by your usage rate.
  • Review condition, warranty and installation costs.

Sources & further reading

Prepared with AI assistance using the manufacturer and Australian guidance linked below. Check the exact model’s documentation when planning a purchase or installation.