An overview of energy ratings schemes for domestic appliances:
Currently most white goods (freezers, fridges, dishwashers and washing machines included) are required by EU law to display a label stating the energy efficiency of the appliance using a 7 stage system. The efficiency ranges from an A grade (most efficient) to a G grade (least efficient), while two new rating having been introduced subsequently to keep up with technological advances, the A+ grade and the A++ grade. Since 1998 products that have been tested and have received a E, F or G have been banned from sale in the EU.
UK households spend £3 billion powering consumer electronics every year (source: The Energy Saving Trust) yet the current EU Energy Labelling system designed to help us save money in electricity consumption is over 15 years old. The European Household Appliance Association (source: CECED) states that on average European domestic appliance manufacturers have been able to gain a 20% increase in efficiency every 4 years without any rise in cost to European consumers, show how far technology has moved on since the introduction of the EU’s efficiency labelling scheme first began. However the EU has recently voted to overhaul the current ratings system to ensure that the most efficient appliances are able to be distinguished from current A grade appliances, currently 72% of fridges today are A rated compared to 4% in 1999 (source: Which? Consumer advice). The A+ and A++ will be replaced by A-20%, A-40% etc grades to indicate how the energy savings compare to a Class A appliance. The new labelling system will come into force in 2011 for fridges and freezers with other products following after.
TCO certification is a scheme that tests and checks IT equipment, similar to the Energy Star scheme it awards a certificate to any product that meets its environmental requirements; however there is no grading system in place, therefore a product may be very close to meeting the criteria but is not awarded the certification. The labelling system has recently undergone a major revision with the launch of version 5.0 (source: TCO Certification Scheme) of its Monitor ratings, which is designed to clear confusion over its previous monitor ratings and make it easier for a consumer to choose IT equipment that is both ergonomically and ecologically friendly. The new system was launched in February 2009 and so far only five monitors have been awarded the TCO 5.0.
However the EU’s energy rating system is not limited to appliances, currently new cars marketed in Europe have to be sold with information relating to both fuel economy and CO2 emissions clearly available to buyers of new cars. In Britain a labelling system similar to the EU white good label was introduced in 2005 and places cars in a band from A to G based upon grams of CO2 per km emitted, cars with under 100g/km are given a green A rating while over 250g/km means a red G rating. On 1 May 2009 6 new categories were introduced from H to M whilst a labelling system for used cars is due to be launched on the 3rd August.
The Energy Savings Trust also runs a scheme designed to help consumers make ethical and informed choices when buying new consumer electrics. The EST label is only granted to products which meet EST standards and have excelled in other ratings systems (e.g appliances with an A+ rating). The EST also includes products that are not tested by the EU such as boilers in their list of Energy Saving Scheme recommended products.
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