The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is advising Kenyans to prioritize energy efficiency when buying household appliances to help lower electricity costs. The agency urges consumers to check specific features on appliances before making a purchase to ensure they are energy-efficient.
How to Identify Energy-Efficient Appliances
One of the easiest ways to spot power-saving electronics is by looking for the energy efficiency labels, which are usually green and white. These labels are placed on various household devices such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and fluorescent lamps. They provide important details about the appliance’s energy consumption.
The labels use a star rating system that ranges from one to five stars. The more stars an appliance has, the more energy-efficient it is. For example, a refrigerator with a five-star rating uses much less power compared to one with only one star.
In a tweet on Thursday, EPRA highlighted the importance of choosing appliances with higher star ratings. The authority explained that more stars on an appliance mean:
✔ Lower electricity consumption
✔ Reduced spending on power bills
✔ A more sustainable and eco-friendly home
EPRA encourages consumers to make informed choices and “make every shilling count by choosing energy-efficient appliances.”
Why Energy Labels Matter
Apart from the star rating, the labels also display the appliance’s annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). EPRA advises consumers to check this figure before buying an appliance, as devices with lower kWh per year figures consume less electricity. This allows buyers to compare different models and estimate potential savings on their electricity bills.
Currently, Kenya’s domestic electricity tariff is about Ksh15 per kWh. This means that choosing energy-efficient appliances can significantly reduce a household’s monthly power expenses, leading to long-term financial savings.
Environmental Benefits and National Power Conservation
Besides lowering household electricity bills, EPRA points out that using energy-saving appliances helps reduce strain on the national power grid. When more people use energy-efficient devices, the overall electricity demand decreases, ensuring a more stable power supply for everyone. Additionally, consuming less energy contributes to environmental conservation by reducing carbon emissions and slowing down climate change.
EPRA’s Regulations on Energy-Saving Electronics
To further promote energy conservation, EPRA expanded its regulatory policies in 2022 to include more electronic devices. The agency announced plans to regulate the sale of televisions, computer monitors, and laptops, ensuring they meet strict energy efficiency standards.
These regulations will be implemented through the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), which set limits on how much power specific electronic products can consume. The goal is to ensure that all appliances sold in Kenya meet modern energy-saving requirements.
At present, EPRA already enforces regulations on household appliances such as:
🔹 Air conditioners
🔹 Refrigerators
🔹 Fluorescent lamps
🔹 Induction motors
By choosing energy-efficient products, Kenyans can cut down on electricity costs, protect the environment, and reduce pressure on the national power grid.
EPRA continues to encourage consumers to prioritize power-saving appliances when shopping to maximize their savings and promote sustainable energy use.
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