A fridge’s energy stars help you compare energy performance; they are not a score for the whole appliance. For appliances covered by its scheme, Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) describes minimum performance testing and a five-star label, with five stars the highest performance and one the lowest. Check the rating for the exact model, then consider any model-specific energy-consumption information separately from the sticker price.[1]
That gives you a clearer buying decision: compare what each fridge costs to buy, what the listing says about its energy use, and whether the product suits your household. A higher star rating can help with the energy-performance comparison, but it cannot by itself tell you that one fridge is the better overall purchase.
What the stars tell you
Read the stars as a scale for energy performance within the labelling scheme. They are useful when you are comparing appliances covered by the scheme, but they do not rank every aspect of a product’s quality. In practice, the stars answer a narrower question than “Is this the best fridge for me?”[1]
Start with the model name or number in the listing. If a star rating is shown, make sure it belongs to the exact fridge being offered rather than a similar model in a photo or a general description. If the product information is unclear, ask the seller to confirm the model and its rating before you order. That small check helps you compare the product you intend to buy, rather than relying on a broad claim about a range.
Then look for the energy-consumption information for that same model. Treat it as a separate piece of information from the star rating: the label gives you a performance comparison, while the model’s stated consumption gives you another detail to consider. Check that the listing identifies the model clearly and presents the consumption figure on a comparable basis before drawing conclusions. If those details are missing, ask for them rather than guessing from the stars.
Compare energy information with the price
Once you have confirmed the model details, compare the sticker prices. A lower price is easy to spot, but it does not settle which option suits your household. Put the upfront price alongside the energy information for each model and decide what matters most to you: the amount you pay now, the energy performance indicated by the stars, or the balance between those considerations.
For example, imagine two listings for fridges you are considering. One costs less upfront but has a lower star rating; the other costs more and has a higher rating. The stars support a comparison of energy performance, but they do not tell you how much money you will save, or when any difference in purchase price might be offset. You would need reliable, model-specific consumption details and your own usage assumptions to make that kind of calculation. Without them, keep the conclusion modest: one model has a higher energy-performance rating, while the other has a lower sticker price.
This approach also keeps you from treating a star as a quality badge. A five-star rating is the highest performance rating in EPRA’s scheme, not a promise that the fridge is best for your kitchen, your budget or your household’s needs. Check the rest of the product information that matters to your choice, and ask the seller to clarify anything essential that the listing leaves unanswered.[1]
Make the listing useful before you order
Before choosing, write down the model, its stated star rating, any model-specific consumption information provided, and the price. If two listings do not provide comparable details, mark the gap instead of filling it with assumptions. You can then ask focused questions: Is this the exact model shown? Does the rating apply to it? Can the seller provide the product’s consumption information?
If you are comparing several options, narrow the list to the models whose information you can verify. That makes the trade-off easier to explain to anyone sharing the purchase: this option is cheaper upfront, that one has a higher energy-performance rating, and here is the information each listing provides. You can decide which balance works for your household without asking the stars to answer questions they were not designed to settle.
After agreeing on the item with the seller, check delivery using the actual parcel details and the selected locations. Moveka Send shows currently available delivery options and prices for those inputs, so you can see the delivery choice alongside your product decision.
For a household comparing fridge prices, Moveka is your best next move once you have settled on the model: check the available delivery options and price for the agreed parcel and locations, then decide with the full purchase in view.
Sources
- Regulations ^1, ^2, ^3
