What are the appliance energy efficient standards in Britain?

Question

I know that the appliances in Britain and Germany particularly have better energy efficiency standards. I would like to know what the standards are and how I can get the appliances with those standards.

Answer 1

All European manufacturers and retailers must tell you about the energy efficiency of household electrical fridges, freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, washer-dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, ovens and light bulbs. Products are generally rated from ‘A’ to ’G’, with ‘A’ being the most efficient (‘A+’ and ‘A++’ for the most efficient fridges and freezers). In addition many labels will also include the annual energy consumption of the product based on normal usage.

An example of a label is here;

http://howtosaveenergy.blogspot.com/2007...

Because of the inclusion of these labels on all white goods in Europe, it has driven the manufactures to reduce their energy consumption and strive for better efficiency. However having said that, the manufacture set the rating based on which settings they choose, so in most cases they will choose the most efficient cycle or settings, this may not be the cycle or settings you would choose, and may give the impression that european goods are more efficient.

The first 'A' rated tumble drier was released in the UK with in 2003 by White Knight, this is still available, though updated, for $350, however this cycle takes up to seven hours, a normal cycle in this machine, could be rated as low as 'D'.

There is also alot of variance between each rating, two C rated products could use different amounts of electricity, in some cases as much as $60 worth annually.

My advice would be find the appliance best suited to your needs, size wise, then compare products in that size (ie fridges 160 litres, tumble driers 7kg drum, etc) then compare the energy efficiency ratings. There is no point getting a 600 litre fridge, just because its rated A++, when a 150 litre fridge A rated fridge would have used a quarter of the electricity.

A good place to check energy efficient products in the UK is;

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/prox...

and in the US;

http://www.energystar.gov