New Delhi, Nov. 10 -- Are you about to choose a new washing machine or fridge? You'll likely spot bright star ratings everywhere but do those numbers really tell you what you need to know about a product's efficiency? In India, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) issues these famous ratings, encouraging consumers to pick appliances that theoretically consume less power and save on bills. What is the real value of these stars when making a purchase? Let's find out.

BEE star ratings rely on lab tests and manufacturer reports under tightly controlled conditions, not everyday usage. For air conditioners and many appliances, ratings are based on the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER), which factors in local temperature variatio...