Difference between 3 Star, 4 Star and 5 Star Electrical appliances
Today, imagining life without electrical appliances in our homes seems like a nightmare that one never wants to experience. Electrical appliances are designed to make our lives better and easier, and with a plethora of electrical appliances available on the market today, you are spoiled for choice. However, it is important to remember that once you invest in an electrical appliance, it is going to stay in your house for several years, so why not buy energy-efficient appliances? These energy-efficient appliances may be a little more expensive than regular ones, but they will significantly reduce your electricity bill and power consumption, eventually helping you save more energy than normal.
3-star rated Electrical Appliances
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has developed a star rating system for electrical appliances that will help you recognise an energy-efficient appliance. The appliance efficiency ratings are labelled in a range of 1 to 5 stars. An energy star refers to the appliance’s energy efficiency, with 1 star being the least efficient and 5 stars being the most efficient. Each appliance’s rating, however, is determined using a different parameter. A ceiling fan, for example, is rated based on its service value. A 3-star rated ceiling fan of approximately Rs. 4200 will have a service value of more than or equal to 4.1 to less than 4.6 and will help you save a moderate amount of money on your electricity bill.
| Appliance | Rating Parameter | Value* | Star Rating |
| Ceiling fan | Service value | >= 5.0 to < 5.5 | 3 |
| Water heater (6 L) | Standard loss | <= 0.352 and > 0.320 | 3 |
| Air conditioner | Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio | 3.8-4.39 | 3 |
| Refrigerator | Comparative Energy Consumption | 0.146*V + 127 – 0.183*V +159 | 3 |
| Washing machine | Energy Consumption (E) per cycle Kilowatt-hour/kg/cycle | 0.11 < E <= 0.14 | 3 |
| Microwave | Energy Consumption per cooking cycle (E) Watt-hour | 48 < E <= 52 | 3 |
*Disclaimer: These values hold true as of 2021. (Source:KitchenArena)
4-star rated Electrical Appliances
As mentioned above, the BEE star rating system helps you recognise energy-efficient appliances. The price of appliances like air conditioners with a 5-star rating may be higher than regular ones. However, their energy efficiency will compensate for the price in the long run through reduced electricity bills. Let’s consider a 4-star rated air conditioner. An air conditioner’s energy efficiency is determined by its Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER). The ISEER value for a 4-star rated AC would be between 4.4 and 4.99. An AC priced at Rs. 32000 with a 4-star BEE rating, and a 1.5-ton capacity may consume 1590 watts of energy. The energy consumption of such an appliance would be as low as 1.5 per unit.
| Appliance | Rating Parameter | Value | Star Rating |
| Ceiling fan | Service value | >= 5.5 to < 6.0 | 4 |
| Water heater (6 L) | Standard loss | <= 0.320 and > 0.291 | 4 |
| Air conditioner | Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio | 4.4 – 4.99 | 4 |
| Refrigerator | Comparative Energy Consumption | 0.117*V + 102 – 0.146*V + 127 | 4 |
| Washing machine | Energy Consumption (E) per cycle Kilowatt-hour/kg/cycle | 0.09 < E <= 0.11 | 4 |
| Microwave | Energy Consumption per cooking cycle (E) Watt-hour | 44 < E <= 48 | 4 |
5-star rated Electrical Appliances
The most energy-efficient appliances have five stars, as determined by the BEE star rating system. Let’s consider a 5-star-rated refrigerator, for example. The rating parameter of a refrigerator is its comparative energy consumption (CEC).
CEC = Constant multiplier (K; Kilowatt-hour/litre/year) * Adjusted Storage Volume (V) + Constant Fixed Allowance (C; Kilowatt-hours/year)
A refrigerator with a 5-star BEE rating may come at the cost of Rs. 20000; its CEC value would be 0.117*V + 102 and will consume the energy of 107 Kilowatt hours annually which is much less than a 3-star rated refrigerator that consumes 132 Kilowatt Hours annually.
| Appliance | Rating Parameter | Value | Star Rating |
| Ceiling fan | Service value | >= 6.0 | 5 |
| Water heater (6 L) | Standard loss | <= 0.291 | 5 |
| Air conditioner | Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio | 5.0 | 5 |
| Refrigerator | Comparative Energy Consumption | 0.117*V + 102 | 5 |
| Washing machine | Energy Consumption (E) per cycle Kilowatt-hour/kg/cycle | E <= 0.09 | 5 |
| Microwave | Energy Consumption per cooking cycle (E) Watt-hour | E <= 44 | 5 |
Difference between 3-star and 5-star appliances
The difference between 3-star and 5-star appliances can be determined by their energy efficiency and the amount of money you save on your electricity bill every year. In terms of money, the difference between 3-star and 5-star appliances is its effect on the monthly electric bill. For example, if the monthly bill of a 3-star rated fan is Rs.135, a 5-star fan will result in an electricity bill of Rs.110, considering that all variables remain constant. As a result, the overall cost of a 5-star rated fans is less in the long run than that of a 3-star rated fans.
Difference between 4-star and 5-star appliances
The difference between 4-star and 5-star appliances is that a 5-star-rated appliance is 10 to 15% more energy efficient than the latter. This may not sound like a big deal right now; however, you will be stunned when you see the results on your electricity bill. There is no doubt that 4 and 5-star rated appliances are much more energy efficient compared to those with 1 or 3-star ratings. But, the difference between 4-star and 5-star rated appliances can also impact your electricity bill. Even though 5-star-rated appliances may be more pricey than 4-star-rated ones, their energy efficiency and impact on your electricity bill, in the long run, will make it all worth it.
To conclude, you must understand the star rating system before investing in an appliance. This will help you purchase a more energy-efficient product (with either a 4 or 5-star rating) and significantly reduce the amount on your electricity bill. Crompton’s 5-star rated fans and other electrical appliances are highly energy efficient.