Euro Appliances: A Guide On How To Choose The Most Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy efficiency is one of the most crucial considerations when it comes to choosing home appliances. Miele’s Sicelo Champion offers some tips on how to choose energy-efficient appliances that align with your sustainability and money-saving goals.

Faced with the climate crisis, rocketing electricity prices, and of course, the dreaded lurgy of loadshedding – the efficient and responsible use of energy is top-of-mind with all South African consumers.

Sicelo Champion from leading appliance manufacturer, Miele, says it is imperative that consumers choose the most efficient appliances that their budget can afford: “Selecting energy-efficient appliances is crucial for various reasons. Firstly, they lower energy consumption, reducing utility bills and saving you money. Secondly, they help combat climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Thirdly, if you are lucky enough to have invested in solar power for your home, the less energy your appliances use, the longer your batteries will last during power outages and the more appliances you will be able to run off the power of the sun.”

Look at the labels

The easiest label to understand and compare is the EU energy label – it is designed to help consumers identify the most energy-efficient appliances in the simplest possible way. Since March 2021, there has been a return to a simpler A-rating (high efficiency) to G-rating (low efficiency). Sicelo notes that Miele’s appliances are some of the most energy efficient on the market: “In 2022, 81% of all Miele washing machines, 25% of all its dishwashers, 62% of tumble dryers, and 99,5% of cookers and ovens, were awarded A-ratings with regards to energy efficiency.”

Select a size that is right for your needs

Selecting the appropriately sized appliance is essential for maximising energy efficiency. Avoid oversized appliances that you’ll only use partially, as they can be less efficient. For instance, a full refrigerator is more energy-efficient than one that’s often empty. Similarly, a smaller washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher that you will be able to run full often, is a better choice compared to a larger appliance that you will often run half empty.

Explore eco-friendly features

Many appliances come equipped with eco-friendly settings or features that help you use them more efficiently. Dishwashers with eco settings, washing machines with cold wash options, and refrigerators with energy-saving modes are all examples of ways you can reduce your energy consumption while still enjoying the convenience of modern appliances.

Sicelo explains: “Miele for example, offers a range of eco-friendly programs across various appliances to help consumers reduce their environmental footprint and save on energy and water consumption. Aside from Eco programmes, Miele also incorporates energy-saving features across various appliances, such as sensors that adjust the appliance’s operation based on the load and conditions. For example, some Miele dishwashers have a sensor wash program that optimises water and energy usage based on the level of soiling.”

Get Smart

Smart appliances, connected to or controlled by smart electric meters or home energy management systems, can be significantly more energy-efficient. They allow you to use electricity during off-peak hours, optimising energy usage. Sicelo elaborates: “The Miele app allows you to keep track of your Miele appliances. For example, you can keep an eye on the cooking process in the oven, or find out whether the wash program has finished. The app provides you with all the necessary information and is fast and convenient to operate. More recently, a new Consumption Dashboard is set to be added to the app that will allow you to keep track of the energy and water consumption of each of your Miele appliances.”

Tips for energy efficiency for specific appliances

Dishwashers:

Use eco programs and run them with full loads to maximise efficiency. Dishwashers with eco settings tend to use less water and offer cold wash options, reducing energy consumption. Says Sicelo: “Miele’s dishwashers for example, automatically adjust the amount of detergent and water required for every load, enabling a full cycle to use as little as 6 litres of water – that’s less than a sink. Our dishwashers can also be safely connected to a hot water supply, reducing heating up time and energy use by up to 40%, whilst our AutoOpen drying feature and full wash cycles of only 58 minutes ensure perfect results.”

Refrigerators:

As one of the most energy-intensive kitchen appliances, refrigerators benefit from avoiding overloading and minimising door openings. Investing in a smart fridge freezer with app-controlled features can also enhance efficiency. Sicelo notes: “Miele refrigerators and freezers achieve best-in-market energy efficiency through advanced insulation, precise temperature control, and quality compressors. They minimise temperature fluctuations, use LED lighting to reduce heat emissions, and offer features like “holiday mode” to conserve energy. This dedication to efficiency lowers operating costs and environmental impact.”

Ovens:

Modern ovens are well-insulated, but selecting eco modes and cooking multiple dishes simultaneously can further improve efficiency. “Miele’s ovens are legendary when it comes to their energy efficiency – in fact, almost all of Miele’s ovens correspond to the highest A-rated energy class. This is good for the environment and your wallet.”

Hobs:

Induction hobs are considered the most energy-efficient hobs on the market, because they directly heat cookware using electromagnetic fields, minimising heat loss and maximising energy transfer. Says Sicelo: “Miele induction hobs excel in energy efficiency due to their advanced technology. Precise temperature control and even heat distribution further optimise energy use.” He says that Miele also offers gas hobs, which are also energy efficient and a great solution for loadshedding.

Washing machines:

Energy-efficient washing machines can significantly cut water and energy bills, especially when you wash full loads at lower temperatures, notes Sicelo: “Miele washing machines achieve energy efficiency through innovative technology. They offer eco-friendly programs with lower water and energy consumption. Intelligent load sensors optimise resource use. They also boast TwinDos technology – a detergent dispensing system designed to provide automatic and precise dosing of liquid detergent and fabric softener during each wash cycle. The washing machine determines the optimal dosage based on factors like the type of fabric, load size, and degree of soiling. This ensures that the right amount of detergent is used for each wash, improving cleaning results and reducing detergent waste.”

Tumble dryers:

Tumble dryers can be energy-intensive, so it is imperative to select energy-efficient models. Sicelo adds: “Miele tumble dryers are some of the most energy efficient you can buy. They often include heat pump technology, which recycles and reuses heat, minimising energy consumption. Precise moisture sensors detect dryness to prevent over-drying and save energy.”