If you have shopped for a TV, washing machine or fridge freezer in the last few years, you may have noticed that the energy label looks different from the old A+++ labels. This guide explains what changed and how to use the label when you compare products.
What changed in March 2021
From 1 March 2021, the rescaled energy label applies in Great Britain to dishwashers, washing machines and washer-dryers, domestic refrigerators, freezers and wine storage fridges, and electronic displays, including televisions and monitors (see NetRegs). The A+, A++ and A+++ ratings were dropped and the label returned to a single scale from A to G, as Which? explains.
Why a B, C or D can still be a good result
According to Which?, the top class on the new scale was left empty on purpose so that manufacturers have room to improve. So do not read a letter in the middle of the scale as a warning sign on its own. The most useful approach is to compare labels between products of the same type, for example one 9kg washing machine against another.
What else is on the label
- The energy efficiency class, from A to G.
- Energy consumption. Depending on the product, it is shown as kWh per year, per 1,000 hours or per 100 cycles.
- Two ratings for washer-dryers: one for washing and one for drying.
- Other performance details, which depend on the type of product.
Tips for comparing
- Compare like with like. A TV's rating tells you nothing about a washing machine's, and size or capacity affects the figures.
- Read the consumption figure as well as the letter. Two products in the same class can use different amounts of energy.
- Check the exact model. Manufacturers often sell several similar-looking versions of the same product, so check the label for the model number you are buying.
- Energy use is one factor. Size, features and how you will use the product matter too.
Looking for a TV or a washing machine? Browse our televisions and monitors and home and garden ranges.
Sources: NetRegs, Energy labelling requirements; Which?, What does the new energy label mean for you and your home.