The National Environment Agency's (NEA) Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) - which started January this year - has over 312 air-conditioner models and 235 refrigerator registered and labeled under MELS.

Under MELS, labels containing energy efficiency information are affixed to air-conditioner and refrigerator models. The more ticks a label has, the more energy efficient the appliance is.

Of the registered appliances, close to one-third of air-conditioner models and almost half of refrigerator models have been given energy efficiency ratings of 3 and 4 ticks.

For example, a 3-tick refrigerator can help you save about $80 worth of electricity per year as compared to a 1-tick model. And, a 3-tick air-conditioner saves you about $400 over a 1-tick model.

'With MELS, consumers would be able to make informed choices when buying appliances, and allow Singapore residents to play a direct role in fighting climate change by cutting their carbon emissions. By selecting energy efficient appliances, households can also save electricity and reduce their utility bills', said Mr Lee Yuen Hee, CEO of NEA.

Air-conditioners and refrigerators are the first two appliances covered under MELS as their usage can account for about 50 per cent of the total electricity bill of a typical household.