World-wide Energy Efficiency Standards for Appliances (Revised & Republished)

This post was originally published in June 2009 and is one of most popular post on this blog. This was probably only cumulative collection of worldwide energy efficiency standards present on web back then.

Recently I came across the UAE's own energy efficiency label and felt the need to update and republish this post. Please find the new addition at the end of the list.

Before buying any electric or energy consuming appliances we need to check, does it save energy? Is it energy efficient? However, how to check that? Here come the energy efficiency standards to help us decide our green appliance.

Worldwide there are different energy efficiency standards, ratings or labels. Some countries have their own standards some countries are following standards set by other countries. Most of them are similar. Some are voluntary, some are mandatory.

Therefore, here is the list of most of these standards & labels according to their country of origin. If you want to buy product made in ‘country’ then check out energy rating given in front of it.

Made in India - BEE star ratings (Buro of Energy Efficiency, India)

Made In US - Energy Star Label, California Energy commission

Made in Australia- Energy Star rating
Made In UK - Energy saving recommended certification

Made in Germany- Blue angel, Nordic Swan

Made in European Union- Energy plus, EU Eco Label, the Group for Energy Efficient Appliances (GEEA)

Made in Japan- Top runner label

Made in Singapore- Energy Efficincy rating, NAE (National Environment Agency)

In Asian market, the China Energy Conservation Project is expected to issue standards for electronics. Korea's voluntary Energy Saving Office Equipment & Home Electronics Program is important.
Other worldwide Energy efficiency labels are as follows

Made/Sold in UAE- Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) has developed a new energy efficiency rating system specifically for UAE. The importance is given to water efficiency as well, specially for washing machines (annual water consumption is considered for rating purpose). UAE doesn't have it's own natural water resource, the sea water is desalinated on huge quantities for day to day water consumption. That's why this rating system is more appropriate than usual energy rating systems for the country.

 

Always check energy efficiency labels on the appliances before you buy any!!!

(Send me energy efficiency logo which is not listed above)

Summer Eco-Activities in India

We were vacationing last few weeks in India, after many years in summer. The summer in my memory is not that hot and harsh. My city Nasik used to be known as a cooler place in summer, but not anymore. Effects of global warming are seen everywhere, add industrialization and urbanization to it, the city in my childhood is long gone and transformed into something else.

Flower farm, Peepal tree, Gulmohor Tree (blooms in summer)

But for my son, who lives in a developed dessert; seeing trees, birds, flowers, rocky hills, farms and river everywhere we go is very exciting experience. His grandparents were equally excited, wanted to show him so many things in Nature around us. Now I know how I developed my love for nature. We did some excursions out of the city to see the nature closely, visited farms and dam, walked along the river, climbed small hills. While doing all these eco-activities; joy on my son's face was beyond the words.



Mango Picking! Tangy green or raw mangoes used in cooking

Visit to Dam. Ruhaan with his Grandmother

We could even experience early rain before arrival of monsoon. The temples in India are amazing places to take young kids for play. Temples are clean, have huge premises around where young kids can run, but of course its a place to worship so better not to take ball etc. It's great opportunity to teach our kids about the culture.

We didn't travel far, just out of the city and took in the Nature around us and it was rejuvenating! Hope you too will add some eco-activities in your itinerary when you go on vacation this summer! Have a great summer!