Purpose and benefits
The energy label for products has supported consumers in the search and selection of energy efficient products for more than 25 years. The label has driven the development of innovative efficient products dramatically reducing the energy consumption and costs of appliances.
However, the system used until early 2021, based on an A+++/G labelling scheme, had become less effective. The mixed label scale involving many "+“ was no longer transparent and the majority of products on the market were already placed in the 2 – 3 top classes - making it difficult for consumers to distinguish the most efficient products.
The new scale, covering A-G ratings, is simpler to understand for consumers and encourages manufacturers to continue producing energy efficient appliances.
What are your benefits when buying a more efficient product?
If you choose products in the best available energy class you can achieve substantial savings. For example:
- Choosing a D-rated fridge freezer over a F-rated unit will save you about £570 (465kgCO2e) in energy bills over the 17-year lifetime of the product.
- Choosing an A-rated washing machine over a D-rated one could save you around £130 (105kgCO2e) over its 11-year lifetime.
- The most efficient dishwashers on the market have a D rating, and cost around £19 less per year (16kgCO2e) to run than the lowest rated dishwashers that you can buy of the same size, and they use less water.
* Based on the new A to G scaling. Correct as of July 2022. Figures provided by Energy Saving Trust.