How do I read the ENERGYguide label?

By law, most new appliances have to carry ENERGYguide labels - those big yellow stickers.

• On the label is an estimate of how much energy the appliance will use in one year - based on average household use patterns, or the energy efficiency rating of the appliance.

• The labels also provide the yearly cost of that energy, based on national average price for the fuel (electricity or gas).

• Each label also has a bar scale, showing the range of efficiencies for all similar appliances. On that bar is an arrow, indicating where in the range this model falls.