December 9, 2022, 3:28 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The new energy labels on household appliances no longer display “A++” or “A+++”. Find out what the new labels mean in this article.
When purchasing a new electrical appliance, many people pay attention to the efficiency class. This can provide insights into electricity consumption. The higher the electricity consumption, the more money you have to pay, of course. Particularly efficient devices were identified by an “A+++”. Since March 2021, there have been new energy labels. Expert Ralf Diekmann from TÜV Rheinland explains how to understand the new system.
Overview
What changes with the new labeling?
“Specifically, the new labels are intended to increase transparency for the end consumer,” says Diekmann. He continues, “This means we are moving away from these ‘A++’ or even ‘A+++’ classes and back to the old rating category, namely ‘A’ to ‘G’, without plus classes.” This increases the comparability of devices and simultaneously strengthens consumer protection. Nowadays, devices must be much more repair-friendly, and faster availability of spare parts should also be ensured.
The new labels are designed to provide consumers with more information about the device than was previously possible. “A QR code on the energy label leads to a European database,” says the expert. Additional device and consumption characteristics are stored there.
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No devices with “A” classification for now
According to the new classification, there will initially be no devices with an “A” classification. Diekmann explains, “The aim is to create incentives for manufacturers to really use this time to upgrade technologically. Because one thing is clear: Since the introduction of these energy labels, there has been a significant boost in technology.” The energy label has been around for almost over 25 years. The new top class is not to be awarded to devices that are currently “state of the art.”
For consumers, this does not mean that today’s devices are inefficient. “Large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, or dryers have become increasingly energy-efficient over the past 20 years. The existing energy classes certainly contributed to this,” says Diekmann.
What to pay special attention to when buying a new electrical appliance
For consumers, not much has changed. “The rethinking only concerns the classification of the classes,” says the expert. The basic idea of looking for energy-efficient devices still applies. When deciding which appliance purchase makes sense, Diekmann advises first checking the environment. “For example, if you live in a four-person household and the washing machine runs every day, it is generally time to replace the old device with a more energy-efficient one after six to seven years.” For a single household, where the washing machine runs less frequently, a purchase would not be ecologically or financially worthwhile after just a few years.
The location of the device also plays a role in energy efficiency. “For example, you should not place a refrigerator near the stove or a window with a lot of sunlight,” says Diekmann. And you should also consider how often the refrigerator is used. “In a family with children, it is opened more often,” the expert suspects. He continues, “Due to the constant opening of the door, the device naturally needs new energy to return to the optimal temperature.” The expert advises comparing the energy costs of the old refrigerator with those of a new device.
In general, if the devices are still functioning optimally, are technically flawless, and are not used often, it would not be ecologically sensible to dispose of them before they reach the end of their life. “Every new device brings a certain ‘environmental burden’ due to the resources and energy used in its production.”