This month, the Australian Government has released an Energy Rating app designed to help households and businesses save money on their power bills by choosing energy efficient appliances.
Based on the energy rating label data, the app is the first of its kind to show power use over the life of a product in dollars, rather than kilowatt hours. With the app available on mobile phones, consumers will be able to access energy efficiency data at the point of purchase, whether in-store or online, and factor running costs into their purchasing decisions.
As Australia has minimum energy performance standards for lighting but not a labelling program, the app does not currently include lighting products. However, it provides an interesting model for consumer engagement that may be of interest to countries that do have energy rating labelling for lighting products.
To download a copy of the app, click here. A copy of the media release launching the app is available here.