Energy Guides

Energy efficiency ratings

Monday 6 April, 2009

By becca.talbot@consumerchoices.co.uk

Energy efficiency rating labels are now on household appliances and electronics to help you compare the efficiency of products before you buy, but what should you really be looking for?

An energy efficiency rating and energy consumption figure must, by law, be shown on all fridges, freezers, fridge/freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, washer dryers, dishwashers, electric ovens and light bulb packaging in the UK. A more energy efficient product will help you cut down your energy usage, and therefore reduce your gas and electricity bills.

This guide will give you a breakdown of what you should be looking for when buying new white goods and electronics, and help you understand how energy efficiency can save you money on your fuel bills…

• The EU energy rating label
• The SEDBUK label
• The BRFC window efficiency rating
• Energy efficiency ratings advice

The EU energy rating label

The European Union (EU) energy rating label, now found on all white goods, tells you the appliances exact energy consumption (kWh) and its energy efficiency rating. The EU energy label rates products from A++, (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient).

As part of its drive for improved energy efficiency, the EU is removing the least efficient models from sale, to reduce running costs for consumers and CO2 emissions. Since September 1999, manufacturers have stopped making fridges, freezers and fridge/freezers with an efficiency rating of D or below.

Energy efficiency savings - Buying an energy efficient A++ rated fridge/freezer will save the average household around £39 a year on its fuel bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

For more information visit www.defra.gov.uk

The SEDBUK label

Boilers have an energy efficiency rating displayed as the Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK (SEDBUK) label. This SEDBUK rating provides a basis for fair comparison of different boiler models by grading boilers according to their efficiency.

SEDBUK rates boilers from A to G. Condensing boilers are the most efficient available as they convert over 90% of the fuel they use into useful heat, compared to around 60% for an old conventional boiler.

Energy efficiency savings - Having an energy efficient condensing boiler fitted will save the average household around £170 a year on its fuel bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

For more information visit www.sedbuk.com

The BRFC window efficiency rating

The British Fenestration Rating Council (BRFC) window efficiency rating is a voluntary scheme used in the window industry, in which the whole window (the frame and the glass) is assessed on its efficiency at retaining heat. The rating uses a consumer-friendly traffic-light style A-E ratings guide, similar to the efficiency rating put on appliances.

The label will display the following information:

1. The rating level – A, B, etc
2. The energy rating eg. -3kWh/(m²•K) in this example the product will lose 3 kilowatt hours per square metre per year
3. The window U value eg. 1.4W/(m²•K)
4. The effective heat loss due to air penetration as L eg. 0.01 W/(m²•K)
5. The solar heat gain eg. g=0.43

Energy efficiency savings - Having an energy efficient double glazing fitted will save the average household around £140 a year on its fuel bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

For more information visit www.brfc.org

Energy efficiency ratings advice

When looking for energy efficiency ratings on new products, before buying you should also look for the Energy Saving Trust’s efficiency label, the Energy Saving Recommended logo.

Only the most energy efficient products will also carry the Energy Saving Recommended logo, making it easier and quicker for you to identify the most energy efficient products on the market.

Only products that meet strict energy efficiency criteria will carry the Energy Saving Recommended logo. The criteria is set by an independent panel and reviewed every year.

For example, Energy Saving Recommended fridges are all graded at A+, and the washing machines in the scheme must be AAA - that's A for energy, A for wash quality and A for spin. The Energy Saving Recommended logo is also put on products where there isn’t a statutory EU energy label, for example double glazing, and televisions with integrated digital decoders (IDTVs).

Making sure you choose energy efficient electronics and appliances when buying something new could not only help to cut down the amount of energy your household uses, but also reduce your bills.

For more information and top tips on making your home more energy efficient to reduce your gas and electricity bills, download our complete guide to energy efficiency.