SINGAPORE - Buying energy-efficient home appliances will become easier from September.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is tweaking its labelling system for air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers to make it easier for buyers to choose more energy-efficient models, it announced on Friday.

Under the existing four-tick system, buyers had the option of buying zero-tick appliances - those that meet only the minimum efficiency standards set by NEA - or four-tick ones, considered most energy-efficient.

This has often caused confusion among consumers who may not know what labels with no ticks meant, said the NEA. But air-conditioners and clothes dryer will now have a five-tick system. One-tick models will be those that meet minimum standards, while five-tick ones will be considered most efficient.

For refrigerators, the four-tick system will remain as five-tick refrigerators are not yet available here.

The new energy labels will also include the estimated cost of running these machines.

Apart from the new labelling system, the tick requirements are also being revised upward. Models of air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers will have to be more efficient than before to be get a higher tick rating.

For instance, four-tick refrigerator models under the old system may be classified as three-tick under the new system.

The NEA said this upward revision in requirements was because there are more energy-efficient appliances on the market. This would give manufacturers more incentive to produce more eco-friendly products. It will also allow consumers to choose appliances which are most efficient.