Consumers are advised to check energy efficiency labelling on "white goods" before purchasing them says the Irish Energy Centre (IEC). These goods - washers, dryers, dishwashers, fridges and freezers - are required by law to carry new labelling that indicates the energy efficiency of the appliance.

January is customarily a popular time for purchasing major white goods and consumers should use the labels to select the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly appliance within their budget range, says the IEC.

The A rating represents the most energy efficient appliance while the G rating is the least efficient. The G-rated appliance typically uses up to four times the energy of an A-rated appliance and impacts on a consumers' running costs. A more energy efficient domestic appliance can save its replacement costs over its lifetime but may not necessarily be more expensive initially. The EU Energy Label system also rates a machine's performance levels and overall capacity. The Irish Energy Centre is an initiative of the Department of Public Enterprise and is supported by the EU through the Community Support Framework.

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