Understanding Energy Labels
Find out what the energy label means for your appliances
2 minute read
By using energy efficient home appliances, you can save valuable resources and money, whilst also reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Appliance energy labels provide standardised appliance efficiency information, which makes users aware of the environmental impact of living in their home and enables them to make an informed decision when they next purchase a home appliance. Research shows that appliance user behaviour has changed considerably since the adoption of the labelling system.
The energy label specifies the efficiency class of the relevant appliance within a range between A+++ and G. It also provides additional information on the appliance, such as its noise value and capacity, as well as energy and water use. For washing machines and dishwashers, the energy label identifies energy and water consumption as annual values.
New A to G Appliance Energy Label
In March 2021, a new energy label came into effect that has been rolled out across various appliances. Due to recent technological advances over the past decade or so, a higher concentration of products were being rated A+ or better. Because of this, the old label was not fulfilling its original function as an aid for making informed purchases.
The new energy label has done away with ratings above A, and has reclassified existing appliances to allow for further technological innovation and efficiency improvements in future. Appliances previously rated A+++ are now either rated B or C, those rated A++ are now classified as D or E, and A+ appliances are now either F or G rated. While still energy efficient in the traditional sense, this reclassification allows appliance manufacturers to find ways of further increasing the energy efficiency of their products; we should see more and more appliances moving up the energy rating scale within the next ten years.
Labels now also feature a QR code, which consumers can scan to access detailed information about the appliance and its energy rating. Since 1st March 2021, dishwashers, washing machines, washer dryers, fridges, freezers and wine coolers have been required to display this label. Future rollout will cover ovens, hobs, extractors, tumble dryers and boilers.
Washer Dryers
Due to consumer behavioural changes in the last ten years or so, washer dryers now come with two ratings on their label; one for the wash and dry cycle, and another for the wash only cycle. These are also based on full loads, so consumers are able to make informed decisions most reflective of their usage.
