Energy-Efficient Home & Kitchen Appliances Buying Guides
An appliance's lifetime cost includes energy, maintenance and repairs as well as its purchase price. Choose for your household size, climate, electricity supply and available service. Energy labels and running-cost estimates help you compare options in any market.
Last reviewed: 27 October 2026
Our appliance guides
Inverter AC buying guide
- •Choose the right tonnage
- •T3 compressors for extreme heat
- •Built-in sizing estimator
Best for: Anyone buying an AC this summer
Inverter vs non-inverter AC
- •How savings are calculated
- •When non-inverter still makes sense
Best for: Deciding whether inverter is worth the extra cost
Refrigerator buyer's guide
- •Direct cool vs frost free
- •Capacity for your family
- •Low-voltage operation
Best for: Families replacing an old fridge
Haier appliances guide
- •ACs, fridges and washers
- •Service network and warranty
Best for: Shoppers considering Haier
Energy-efficient appliances
- •What runs well on UPS and solar
- •Wattage planning
Best for: Homes with solar or UPS backup
Three rules for appliance shopping
Compare energy use and lifetime cost
Electricity consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Multiply expected use by your electricity provider's current rate, accounting for tiered or time-of-use tariffs where applicable. Compare annual consumption for appliances of similar capacity.
Protect against voltage problems
Look for wide voltage operation on ACs and fridges, and consider a stabiliser for older non-inverter units. Surges after power outages can damage compressors and control boards.
Check after-sales service in your city
Installation, gas refills and compressor warranty claims depend on the brand's local service network. Ask how claims work before you buy.
Reading energy labels
Energy labels differ by market, including ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide in the US and A–G labels in the EU. Compare annual kWh consumption within the same product category and capacity. For ACs, compare seasonal efficiency using the same rating standard; scales from different regions are not interchangeable.
Affiliate and pricing note
We do not sell appliances. Some links to retailers may be affiliate links. Prices change frequently with seasons and sale events, so always confirm the price and warranty terms with the retailer.
Summer is coming — size your AC properly.
Open the AC guide